Presented to the
LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
by
O:TTA.IIO LEGISLATIVE LIB?JUY
-
HE
ANNALS OF ALBANY. <Uxj
BY JOEL MUNSELL.
VOL II.
ND EDITION
BY
PRESEiWATION
SERVICES
ALBANY :
DATE
JOEL MUNSELL, 82 STATE STREET.
1870.
PREFACE.
A second edition of this volume of the Annals of Albany
having been called for, opportunity has been taken to in-
troduce a large portion of the city t records belonging to this
period, that are missing in the volumes at the chamberlain's
office, but which exist in the state archives at Hartford,
Conn., where they were probably conveyed by Robert Liv-
ingston, in the time of the troubles with Leisler. They
were found and translated by Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, and
published ia the Documentary History of New York.
There are still other important documents at Hartford, that
belong to our city records, which remain unpublished. An
omission has been made of the portion of Dutch church
baptisms which was in the first edition, because they will be
more perfectly printed, entire, either in a separate volume,
or in a future volume of the Historical Collections of
Albany, which is published'in continuation of this series of
annals. A more complete index than the one in the first
edition has been made. Otherwise than in these particulars,
the contents of the volume have been very little changed.
April, 1870.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Wampum, .1
Colony of Rensselaerswyck, 8
Description of Albany, and manners of the inhabitants, . 48
Return of Abercrombie's army, 55
Charter of the city of Albany, . ... . . .56
The city records, 82
Glossary, . .270
Philip Pietersen Schuyler, 272
Commission of Gerrit Swart of Rensselaerswyck, ; . . 273
A governor's marriage license, 1732, . . . . . 277
Indian disturbances, 278
TheFuyck, 279
Form of oath to the patroon, 280
Game, . . . ' 281
List of freeholders in the city of Albany and manor of Rensse-
laerswyck, . . . . . 282
Notes from the newspapers, 1771-1790, .... 284
Lancasterian school, . . 304
Ancient funeral custom, * . . 307
The Dutch language, .308
Dutch names for Albany and vicinity, . . . . 311
Origin of Yankee Doodle, .312
Salmon in the Hudson river, 314
Castle island, 316
Indian names of Albany and vicinity, . . . . 317
Dutch names for the fish in our river, 319
Albany Academy medals, 320
Annals for the year 1849-50, '.324
Statistics: city finances, 355
assessor's valuation, . 360
vi Illustrations.
Page.
The mayor's statement on the financial condition of the city, 362
Taxes for city government, 364
Pauperism in Albany, 365
Comparison of taxes for 1849 and 1860, 366
Albany and Schenectady rail road, 367
Albany and West Stockbridge rail road, . . . .368
Basin excavation, ........ 368
Barley trade of Albany, . . ... \ . 369
Hills and Creeks, 370
Index, . 371
ILLUSTRATIONS.
View of Albany, frontispiece.
Wampum, 1
Peter Stuyvesant, . . .13
Jeremias Van Rensselaer, 47
St. Peter's church (Episcopal),. ....... 48
Pieter Schuyler, . . 64
View of portion of North Market Street, . . . .287
Title page first Albany almanac, . . . . 290
Lancasterian school, 304
Salmon of the Hudson, . . . . . .:.'.. 314
Caldwell mathematical medal, ........ 321
Van Rensselaer classical medal, ..... 322
James H. Armsby, president County Medical Society, . . 351
ANNALS OF ALBANY.
WAMPUM.
This article, more frequently called sewant in the pages
which follow, particularly in the old city records, is said
to be derived from wampi, 1 signifying in the Massachusetts
Indian language, white, the color of the shells most frequent
in wampum belts. It was strung, and sometimes formed
into a broad belt, to be worn as an ornament. One of the
sea coast terms of the Algonquins for this article was peag*
and it is frequently called wampumpeage. It was the first
money in use in New Netherland and in New England. 3
Seawant was the generic name of this Indian money, of
which there were two kinds ; wompam, commonly written
wampum, which signifies white, and suckhanock, sucki sig-
nifying black. Wampum or white money, was originally
made from the stem or stock of the meteanhock or periwin-
kle ; suckhannock, or black money, was made from the in-
side of the shell of the quahaug, commonly called the hard
clam. Specimens of a similar article are numerous in the
Indian cemeteries of this state, formed of bone and mineral.
The material from which the figure here given is copied,
is the red pipe- NII_ stone of the west,
so much valued; it ^^^p^^^g^S^ is perforated long-
itudinally, and was evidently worn
about the neek and breast, like the modern article of wam-
pum. The Indians had various kinds of ornaments strung
1 Encyclopedia Americana, article Wampum.
John Josselyn says : " Their beads are their money ; of these there
are two sorts, blue and white ; the first is their gold, the last their
silver. These they work out of shells so cunningly, that neither
Jew nor devil can counterfeit them." Old Indian Chronicle, 58.
3 'Schooler off 's Notes on the Iroquois, p. 244.
3 Gabriel Furman, in Gowans's Bfoliotheca Americana, I, 42.
Annals, ii. 1
2 Wampum.
in a like manner, some of which were worn for a defense
against witchcraft. This, also, was formed of the red pipe-
stone of the Coteau du Prairie, west, of the Mississippi, and
its disinterment from Indian graves in the state of New
York, denotes an early traffic or exchange of the article, Mr.
Schoolcraft thinks. Other species, assuming a great variety
of shapes, and formed of as many kinds of material, including
native copper, seem to have been worn with the object of
producing a jingling sound, or to inspire fear by the tread.
The manufacture of wampum by the Indians, before the
appearance of Europeans, was necessarily laborious, with
the rude implements which they employed. They broke off
about half an inch of the purple color of the inside of the
shell, and converted it into beads. 1 These before the intro-
duction of awls and thread, were bored with sharp stones,
and strung upon the sinews of animals, and when inter-
woven to the breadth of the hand-, more or less, were called
a belt of sea want, or wampum. A black bead, of the size of
a large straw, about one-third of an inch long, bored longi-
tudinally and well polished, was the gold of the Indians,
and always esteemed of twice the value of the white ; but
either species was considered by them, of much more value
than European coin. An Indian chief, to whom the value
of a rix dollar was explained by the first clergyman of Rens-
selaerswyck, laughed exceedingly to think the Dutch should
set so high a value upon a piece of iron, as he termed the
dollar. Three beads of black, and six of white, were equi-
valent, among the English, to a penny, and among the Dutch
to a stuyver. But with the latter the equivalent sometimes
varied, depending upon the finishing of the seawant. Sea-
want was also sometimes made from the common oyster
shell, and both kinds made from the hard clam shell.
The us.e of wampum was not known in New England un-
til it was introduced there in 1627, by Isaac De Razier, se-
cretary of New Netherland, while on an embassy there to
settle a treaty of amity and commerce between the two colo-
nies. He carried with him wampum and goods, and with
them purchased corn. To this introduction of wampum into
New England, Hubbard attributes all their wars with the
1 Q-owans's BiUiotheca Americana, i, 42.
Wampum.
Indians which afterwards ensued. "Whatever were the
honey in the mouth of that beast of trade, there was a deadly
sting in the tail. For it is said they (the Dutch) first brought
our people to the knowledge of wampum-peag ; and the ac-
quaintance therewith occasioned the Indians of these parts
to learn the skill to make it, by which, as by the exchange
of money, they purchased store of artillery, both from the
English, Dutch and French, which proved a fatal business
to those that were concerned in it." 1
Although the general distinction of this seawant was
black and white, yet that in use in New England was black,
blue and white ; and that of the Iroquois of a purple color. 2
^HuHbarcCs History of New England. -
2 Wampum is a sort of a shell found on the New Iprk coast :
they are burgos or periwinkles, some of which are white, others
violet, verging towards black. The white are of little value ; the
violet more in demand, and the more they incline to black the
higher are they esteemed. Wampum, for state affairs, is shaped
into small cylinders, a quarter of an inch long, and proportionably
thick. They are worked into two forms, strings and belts. The
strings consist of cylinders strung, without any order, one after an-
other, like the beads of a rosary. The belts are wide sashes, in
which the white and purple beads are arranged in rows and tied by
little leathern strings, whereof a very pretty tissue is formed. Their
length, width and color are in proportion to the importance of the
affair to be negotiated. Ordinary belts consist of twelve rows of 180
beads each.
These belts and strings of wampum are the universal agent
among the Indians, serving as money, jewelry, ornaments, annals,
and for registers ; 'tis the bond of nations and individuals ; an in-
violable and sacred pledge which guaranties messages, promises and
treaties. As writing is not in use among them, they make a local
memoir by means of these belts, each of which signifies a particular
affair, or a circumstance of affairs. The chiefs of the villages are
the depositaries of them, and communicate them to the young peo-
ple, who thus learn the history and engagements of their nation.
In addition to the name gaionne, which is most used to signify
these belts, the Indians gave them, also, that of garifioua, which
means, an affair ; that of guauenda, as a speech or message, and
gaianderensera, which implies greatness or nobility, because chiefs
only are competent for the great affairs treated by belts ; they it is
who furnish the belts and strings, and it is among them that they
are divided, whenever presents are made to the villages and an-
swers are given to the speeches of ambassadors. Doc. Col. Hist.,
x, 556, note.
4 Wampum.
A string of this shell money, one fathom long, varied in
price from five shillings, among the New Englanders,
to four guilders among the Dutch, or one dollar and sixty-six
and a half cents of our present currency. The process of
trade was This ; the Dutch and English sold for seawant to
the Indians of the interior, their awls, knives, combs, scis-
sors, needles, looking-glasses, hatchets, guns, black cloth,
and other articles of aboriginal traffic, and with the seawant
bought the furs, corn and venison from the Indians on the
seaboard, who also with their shell money bought such arti-
cles from the aborigines residing farther inland ; and by this
course the white men saved the trouble of transporting their
furs and grain through the country. Thus, by this circu-
lating medium a brisk commerce was carried on, not only be-
tween the white people and the Indians, but also between
different tribes among the latter. So much was this the
circulating medium, that the colonial governments found it
necessary to make regulations on the subject. In 1641 Gov.
Kieft and his council, in view of the fact that a vast, deal of
bad seawant, " nasty rough things imported from other
places, " was in circulation, while the " good, splendid sea-
want, usually called Manhattan's seawant, was out. of sight,
or exported, which must cause the ruin of the country!"
therefore, in order to remedy the evil, it was ordained that
all coarse seawant, well stringed, should pass at six for one
stuyver only, but the well polished at four for a stuy ver, and
whoever offered or received the same, at a different price,
should forfeit the same, and also ten guilders to the poor.
The Connecticut Code of 1650 ordained " That nopeage,
white or black, bee paid or received, but what is strunge
and in some measure strunge sutably, and not small and
great, uncomely and disorderly mixt, as formerly it hath
beene."
Massachusetts colony passed a law in 1648, declaring that
wampumpeag should pass current in the payment of debts
to the amount of forty shillings ; the white at eight for a
penny, and the black at four fora penny, "if entire, without
breaches or spots ; except in payment of county rates to the
treasurer." This law was repealed in 1661, yet seawant
continued to form a part of the circulating medium of the
colony for a long period afterward.
Wampum. 5
The wampum currency appears sometimes to have been
measured by the fathom, in New England. The Pequot
Indians, in the year 1656, paid as a tribute to the united
colonies of New England 215 fathoms of wampum ; of which
amount Thomas Stanton, the agent among the Indians, was
paid 120 fathoms for his salary, and the remaining 95 fa-
thoms, together with 51 fathoms at New Haven, in all 146
fathoms, was divided among the united colonies, according
to the number of males enumerated in the year 1655, in the
following manner, being the first distribution of public mo-
neys in the good old time of our history.
To Massachusetts, 94 fathoms.
Plymouth, 18 fathoms.
Connecticut, 20 fathoms.
New Haven, 13 fathoms.
The governor and council in the city of New York, in
1673, made an order, declaring that by reason of the scarcity
of wampum, that which had hitherto passed at the rate of
eight white and four black pairs, for a stuyver or penny,
should then pass at six white and three black pairs for a
stuyver, "and three times so much the value of silver."
At this period there was little " certain coin in the govern-
ment " of N. York, and wampum readily passed as change
for current payment in all cases. This seawant, or wam-
pum, was the only Indian money ever known in North
America ; it was not only the money of the Indians, but
also the ornament of their persons. It distinguished the
rich from the poor, the proud from the humble. It was the
tribute paid by the vanquished to those, the Five Nations
for instance, who had exacted contribution. In the form
of a belt it was sent with all public messages between the
Indian tribes, and preserved as a record of all public trans-
actions among the aboriginal people. If a message was sent
without the belt, it was considered an empty word, unworthy
of remembrance. If the belt was returned it was a rejec-
tion of the offer or proffer accompanying it. If accepted it
was a confirmation, and strengthened friendship, or effaced
injuries. These shells, indeed, had more virtue among the
Indians, than pearls, gold and silver had among Europeans.
Seawant was the seal of a contract, the oath of fidelity. It
satisfied murders, and all other injuries, purchased peace,
6 Wampum.
and entered into the religious as well as the civil ceremonies
of the aborigines. A string of seawant was delivered by
the orator in public council, at the close of every distinct
proposition made to others, as a ratification of the truth and
sincerity of what he said, and the white and black strings
of seawant were tied by the pagan priest, around the neck,
of the white dog suspended to a pole, and offered as a sacri-
fice to Thaloughyawaagon, the upholder of the skies, the
god of the Five Nations. 1
The article continued to be manufactured in different
parts of the state of New York until a comparatively recent
period. Smith 2 mentions, that a short time previous to
writing his work, several poor families at Albany made their
living by its manufacture. Burn aby 3 mentions that in jour-
neying from Philadelphia to New York, he passed through
Staten Island, and had an opportunity of seeing the method
of making wampum, the process of which he thus describes;
" It is first chipped to a proper size, which is that of a small
oblong parallelepiped, then drilled, and afterwards ground
to a round smooth surface and polished. The purple wam-
pum is much more valuable than the white ; a very small
part of the shell being of that color." In the summer of
1831, several bushels of wampum were brought from Baby-
lon, on Long Island, and the person who had them, stated
that he had procured them for an Indian trader, and was
in the habit of supplying those traders with wampum. The
best wampum is at this day manufactured on Long Island, to
be sent to the western states and territories, for the purpose
both of a circulating medium, and of conventions andtreaties. 4
Wampum is also manufactured at the present day in Ber-
gen county, New Jersey, for the Indian traders of the far
west. 5 It has been manufactured by the females of that re-
gion from very early times, of the thick and blue part of the
sea-clam shell. The process is simple, but requires a skill at-
tained only by long practice. The intense hardness and
brittleness of the material render it impossible to produce
1 See Yates and Moulton's History of New York.
3 History of the Province of New York.
3 Travels through the Middle Colonies in North America, 1760.
4 Gowans's Bibliotheca Americana, i, 41.
6 Barber and Howe's Historical Collections of New Jersey, p. 72.
Wampum. 7
the article by machinery alone. It is done by wearing or
grinding the shell. The first process is to split off the thin
part with a light sharp hammer. Then it is clamped in the
sawed crevice of a slender stick, held in both hands, and
ground smooth on a grindstone, until formed into an eight-
sided figure, of about an inch in length, and nearly half an
inch in diameter, when it is ready for boring. The shell then
is inserted into another piece of wood, sawed similarly to the
above, but fastened firmly to a bench of the size of a common
stand. One part of the wood projects over the bench, at the
end of which hangs a weight, causing the sawed orifice to
close firmly upon the shell inserted on its under side, and to
hold it firmly, as in a vice, ready for drilling. The drill
is made from an untempered handsaw. The operator
grinds the drill to a proper shape, and tempers it in the
flame of a candle. A rude ring, with a groove on its circum-
ference, is put on it; around which the operator, who is
seated in front of the fastened shell, curls the string of a
common hand-bow. The boring commences, by nicely ad-
justing the point of the drill to the centre of the shell; while
the other end is braced against a steel plate, on the breast of
the operator. About every other sweep of the bow, the drill
is dexterously drawn out, cleaned of the shelly particle by
the thumb and finger, above which drops of water from a
vessel fall down and cool the drill; which is still kept revolv-
ing, by the use of the bow with the other hand, the same as
though it were in the shell. This operation of boring is the
most difficult of all, the peculiar motion of the drill rendering
it hard for the breast; yet it is performed with a rapidity
and grace interesting to witness. Peculiar care is observed,
lest the shell burst from heat caused by friction. When
bored halfway, the wampum is reversed, and the same opera-
tion repeated. The next process is the finishing. A wire
about twelve inches long is fastened at one end to a bench.
Under and parallel to the wire is a grindstone, fluted on its
circumference, hung a little out of the centre, so as to be
turned by a treadle moved with the foot. The left hand grasps
the end of the wire, on which is strung the wampum, and as
it were, wraps the beads around the fluted or hollow circum-
ference of the grindstone. While the grindstone is revoling,
the beads are held down on to it, and turned round by a flat
8 Wampum.
piece of wood held in the right hand, and by the grinding
soon become round and smooth. They are then strung on
hempen strings, about a foot in length. From five to ten
strings are a day's work for a female. They are sold to the
country merchants for twelve and a half cents a string, always
command cash, and constitute the support of many poor and
worthy families.
The value of sewant about 1660, in Rensselaerswyck, in
payment of taxes, was twelve white and six black to the
stuyver, which is a little less than two cents.
The collections in the church were mostly in sewant, of
which they had in the treasury at one time about 13,000
guilders in amount. It was a depreciated currency, however;
a guilder in sewant being but about twelve and one-half
cents in gold, or about one-third of a guilder, which was
nearly forty cents.
Colony of Renssdaerswyck.
COLONY OF RENSSELAERSWYCK.
[From O'CaUagUaris History of New Netherlands Vol. 2.]
1646 to 1664.
Johannes Van Rensselaer, heir to the patroonship of Rens-
selaerswyck, being a minor at his father's decease, the care
of his interests devolved on his uncle Johannes Van Wely,
and Wouter Van Twiller, 1 executors to the last will and
testament of the first patroon, who immediately rendered
fealty and homage for the colonie to their high mightinesses,
in the name and on the behalf of their ward.
The immediate management of this estate was entrusted to
Brant Arent Van Slechtenhorst of Nieukerke in Gruilderland,
who was appointed director of the colonie, president of the
court of justice, and superintendent of all the bouweries,
farms, mills, and other property belonging to the patroon,
at a salary of seven hundred and fifty florins ($300) per an-
num, to reckon from the date of his arrival out, together
with a house, four milch cows, two horses, four morgens of
tillage and four morgens of pasture land. He was specially
charged to uphold, maintain and defend the freedoms and
privileges with which the colonie was invested, to promote
the interests and advance the settlement of Beverwyck and
its immediate neighborhood, and to acquire by purchase the
lands around Katskill, for the greater security of the colonie,
inasmuch as the colonists, through a notion of acquiring pro-
perty In that quarter, were forming companies or associations
to remove thither and abandon Rensselaerswyck. He was
further ordered to explore the country for minerals, and to
report to his superiors in Holland whatever success might
crown these labors. Thus commissioned and instructed, the
newly appointed director sailed with his family and servants
for Virginia. He proceeded thence in another vessel to the
Manhattans, where he landed after a passage of four months
and finally arrived in the colonie in the latter part of March.
1 Van Twiller died in Holland in 1656, or 1657. Van Wely died
19th March, 1679, aged 83 or 83 years.
10 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
His son, Grerrit Van Slechtenhorst, was to act as officier or
schout-fiscaal, at a salary of six hundred florins; but he filled
the office only two months, when it was merged in that of
the director. 1
From the moment that colonies began to be planted by
patroons in New Netherland, the directors of the Amsterdam
Chamber became jealous of their existence and opposed to
their continuance. They considered them injurious to the
settlement of the country and the increase of its population. 2
By the repurchase of Pavonia and Zwanendaal in 1634, they
took the earliest means to check the evil. In the prosecution
of their policy, they endeavored to induce the patroon of
Rensselaerswyck to cede to them his rights, privileges and
possessions also; but having failed in effecting this, they now
changed front, and determined to circumscribe a jurisdiction
and weaken a power which they could not buy off, and
which they wished to destroy. Gen. Stuyvesant and Brant
Van Slechtenhorst were the champions of these hostile inte-
rests and opposing views. The former claimed to be supreme
ruler of the whole country, irrespective of the special rights
and feudal privileges granted, as well by the charter of 1629,
as by the civil law, to the local authorities of independent
fiefs. The latter, thoroughly conversant with the immuni-
ties claimed for manors and municipalities in continental Eu-
rope, recognized the exercise of no authority within his
limits save that of his patroon, or such as was approved and
sanctioned by his legal representatives. Whatever orders or
placards the director-general might issue were, he maintained,
null and powerless, unless so endorsed and countersigned by
his commander and executed by the officers of his court.
It was easy to foresee that pretensions so opposite could not
1 Gerrit Van Slechtenhorst married Aeltje Lansing, by whom he
had four children, viz: Hellegonda, Gerrit, Rachel, and Gouda,
He' was one of the commissaries of Schenectady in 1672, after which
he removed to Kingston, Ulster Co., where he died 9th January, 1684,
N. S. The other children of Brant Van Slechtenhorst, were Mar-
garet and Alida. The latter was born in Beverwyck, and married
Gerrit, son of Goosen Gerritsen Van Schayck, by whom she had no
issue. She lost her husband llth November, 1679, after which she
married Pieter Davitse Schuyler, son of David Schuyler.
3 Alb. Rec., iv, 199.
Colony of EensselaerswycL 11
fail to lead to collision, and Slechtenhorst had not been much
more than a month at his post when an explosion took place.
A copy of a proclamation ordering the first Wednesday in
May to be observed by a general fast and the performance of
public worship in the several churches of New Netherland
was duly forwarded to Rensselaerswyck. It was received by
the authorities of that place, not in that spirit of submissive
obedience which the director-general demanded for all his
orders, but as an invasion of the rights and authority of the
lord of the manor, against which Van Slechtenhorst forth-
with protested. 1
This proceeding did not comport with Stuyvesant's ideas
either of law or propriety. To correct the abuse he resolved
to visit the colonie, where, accompanied by a military escort,
he soon after landed, his arrival being most loyally greeted
by salvos from the patroon's artillery. 2 Summoning Van
Slechtenhorst, he called in question his pretensions, and
charged him with infringing the company's sovereignty. But
the sturdy commander retorted: "Your complaints are un-
just, I have more reason to complain, on behalf of my patroon
against you." The director-general fulminated, thereupon,
a lengthy protest, in which Van Slechtenhorst was accused
with having conveyed lots, and authorized the erection of
buildings, in the immediate vicinity of Fort Orange, in disre-
gard not only of the sovereign authority, but in contempt of
'This 26th April, 1648, hath the director Slechtenhorst pro-
tested against a certain writing of the Right Hon. P. Stuyvesant, con-
cerning the publication of a day of fasting and prayer, whereby it
is understood, that the right and authority of the Lord Patroon are
invaded. This document was handed in only before the sermon,
so that there was no time to have it read. Rensselaerswyck M88.
2 July, 1648. Whereas, the council of the colony directed the
Heer General Peter Stuyvesant should be greeted on his arrival and
departure, with several salutes from the Heer Patroon's three pieces
of cannon, so hath the director employed Jan Dircksen Van Bremen,
and Hans Encluys, to clean the same, as they were filled with earth
and stones, and to load them, in which they were employed three
days, to wit : one day in cleaning them ; the second in firing for the
arrival, and the third, for Stuyvesant's departure for which Slech-
tenhorst purchased 201bs. of "powder, and expended ten guilders,
for beer and victuals, besides having provided the Heer General, at
his departure, with divers young fowls and pork. Ib.
12 Colony of EenssdaerswycL
the director-general's commission, thus infringing the pri-
vileges granted by their high mightinesses and destroying the
security of the fort. Such proceeding was totally repugnant
to "military discipline and tactics." He therefore ordered,
" in a friendly manner," a stop to be put to all building,
within range of cannon shot, unless specially ordered by the
lords majors. He further commanded, that no new ordinances
affecting.the sovereign authority, or relating to commerce or
the public welfare, be issued without the previous consent of
their high mightinesses or their representative in New Nether-
land ; and that no exclusive right to any branch of trade be
rented, nor any grain, masts, or other property belonging
to the company's servants be seized, unless the prosecutions
on such suits were disposed of without delay. The
practice of compelling the inhabitants of the colonie to sign
a pledge that, as defendants, they should not appeal to the
supreme court of New Netherland from judgments rendered
by the court of Rensselaerswyck, was pronounced " a crime,"
an infraction of the law of the land, and a subversion of the
twentieth article of the charter. To prevent the recurrence of
this illegal practice, an annual return to the director and coun-
cil of all the affairs transacted in the colonie and of the pro-
ceedings of the court was insisted on, conformably to the
twenty-eighth article of the said charter. And as Van Slech-
tenhorst claimed, in direct contradiction to the charter and
the director-general's commission, to the vilification of the
latter's office and in disrespect of the lords majors, not to be
responsible to the government at Fort Amsterdam, he was
called on to produce his authority, either from the states-
general or the directors of the chamber at Amsterdam, for
such pretension. Failing this, the director-general protested
against him for disobedience of orders.
Commander Slechtenhorst, was, in the estimation of his op-
ponents, " a person of stubborn and headstrong temper."
He was, besides, fully confident that he had law and custom
on his side ; he was sure that he had the instructions of his
superiors in his pocket, and was therefore determined not to
abandon the rights of "his orphan patroon." He answered
protest by protest. He charged, in his turn, the director-
general with having proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer
in Rensselarswyck, " contrary to antient order and usage,
as if he were the lord of the patroon's colonie."
Colony of Eensselaerswyck. 13
He accused the company's servants at the fort with hav-
ing cut, without permission, the best timber and firewood in
the patroon's forests, " as if these were their own " and
with having ranged through the whole colonie, along with
people from Manhattans, "with savages by their side to
serve as brokers," trading publicly with the aborigines, as
if the place were their property ; all this without license from
the patroon or his authorized agents, and without paying
either duties or recognitions. As for the order not to build
within a prescribed distance of Fort Orange, it was an ag-
gression which could not be justified. The patroon's trading
house stood, " a few years ago," on the border of the moat
which surrounded that fort. That soil, with all around, be-
longs still to the patroon ; he was never disturbed in its pos-
session until Director Stuyvesant sought now "by unbecom-
ing means," to oust " his orphan heir," to deprive him of
the benefit thereof, and to appropriate the soil to himself;
threatening to destroy the patroon's buildings by cannon shot.
Van Slechtenhorst is hereby prevented erecting " even a hog
pen" on the patroon's own land, and Stuyvesant has become
a judge in his own case. The assertion that the objection-
able buildings endangered the security of the fort, was a
mere pretext. They were more than five hundred rods from
the fort, or trading house; and, it was added, eight houses
already intervened between them and Fort Orange.
In keeping with the spirit here displayed, did Van Slech-
tenhorst continue his improvements in Beverwyck. An-
other protest from the Manhattans followed, warning him
that force should be used if he did not desist. But this had
the effect only of calling forth " a counter blast." No suit,
he insisted, could be instituted, nor execution issued in an-
other district, without previous consent of the schout fiscaal
or court of that jurisdiction, on the pain of non-suit and ar-
bitrary correction, and therefore the present proceeding was
informal. The pretensions now put forth were, moreover, at
variance with those which had already been promulgated,
and in contradiction with practice even at New Amsterdam.
The director-general claimed, in July, that all the territory
within range of cannon shot belonged to Fort Orange ; now
he reduces the circle to the range of a musket ball, within
which he will not allow a house to be built, "notwithstanding
Annals, ii. 2
14 Colony of EensselaerswycL
he permits whole streets to be filled with houses, in view of
Fort Amsterdam." It was a matter of surprise, that he
should use the power with which he was invested, to oppress
" our infant patroon." It was his duty, as a Christian neigh-
bor, to preach other doctrines ; to turn his arms, not against
friends, but enemies. It was besides, highly unbecoming in
him to use force whilst their high mightinesses had not yet
decided the case, especially as the house in dispute was not
within musket shot of the fort.
This continued contumacy served but to irritate the exe-
cutive. The freshets of the past winter had nearly destroyed
Fort Orange, and the company's commissary had received
orders to surround that post with a solid stone wall in lieu
of the wooden fence by which it had hitherto been encom-
passed. But scarcely had a rod of the work been finished,
when Van Slechtenhorst forbade Carl Van Brugge, " in an
imperious manner/' to quarry stone within the colonie, or
to fell a tree either for the repair of the fortification or for
firewood. The farmers and inhabitants were also ordered,
contrary to the practice of former magistrates, and contrary,
it might be added, to the fifth article of the charter of 1629,
not to convey any such materials thither. 1 The company
was thus deprived of articles necessary to build forts, or
other edifices, and compelled either to beg them from their
vassals ; or " what is worse/' to purchase them at enormous
prices. Whilst thus opposing repair of the public works,
Van Slechtenhorst actively continued his own buildings,
" even within pistol shot of Fort Orange."
On receipt of this intelligence, General Stuyvesant resolved
to maintain his authority by force. Six soldiers- were dis-
1 This prohibition arose rather in consequence of the claim to ju-
risdiction, than on account of the value of the timber. For "about
midsummer of 1649, the Heer General being here, asked Jan Bae-
rentsen to wheel out some masts, which he refused to do, saying
that the horses and the land which he made use of belonged to the
patroon, whose consent he must first have. Whereupon the Heer
General came to the director, and requested him, after relating the
above circumstances, to consent thereto. The director accordingly
consented. Rensselaerswyck Gerechtsrolle, 1648-1652, 71.
2 A manuscript protest among the Rensselaerswyck papers, re-
presents this force as " seven soldiers and five sailors," who remained
fourteen days in the colonie.
Colony of Rensselaerswyck. 15
patched to Van Brugge's assistance, with orders to demolish
the offending house, to arrest Van Slechtenhorst " in the
most civil manner possible," should he offer any opposition,
and to detain him in custody until he delivered a copy of his
commission and his instructions, and had declared that he
had no other. He was finally summoned to appear at Fort
Amsterdam to answer for his conduct. Orders were at the
same time issued, prohibiting the importation of guns into
the colonie without license from the lords majors. Such
arms, when imported, were to be sold only to the company
at a fixed price of two beavers each.
The excitement produced in the hitherto peaceful hamlets
of Beverwyck, on the appearance of this armed posse, may be
easily conceived. The oldest inhabitant had not seen a sol-
dier nor heard the sound of a drum in that place until the di-
rector-general's visit in the course of the last summer. And
how when another armed band arrived, with the hostile design
of razing the houses of quiet and inoffensive settlers, they
were sorely amazed and much alarmed.
Those whom the director-general had dispatched to en-f
force his orders, were not, in truth, the best qualified for
the perforrnan ce of this delicate mission . They were very zeal-
ous " when the patroon's timber was to be cut, or his deer
killed," and were not slow to exhibit their insolence by
grossly insulting the commander, "when walking the public
street " in company with his deputy, Andries de Vos, cursing
them and " abusing God's holy name," because " they had
not bade them good evening."
This rude conduct, and the unconcealed avowal of their
mission, aroused the indignation not only of the settlers but
even of the Indians. These assembled in a tumultuous and
angry manner, and demanded if <: Wooden Leg, 1 in whom
they had confided as their protector, intended to tear down
the houses which were to shelter them in stormy and wintry
weathar?" When they learned that all the trouble was
about a few roods of land, they told the commander to accom-
1 Ebeling, in his Erdbeschreibung and Geschichte von Amerika,
Hamburg, 8vo, 1796, in 34, represents Stuyvesant as having, " a
silver leg." Slechtenhorst and the Indians are better authority on
this point.
16 Colony of Rensselaersivyck*
pany them home, and they would give him plenty of land
"in the Maquaas country;" so that " more kindness was
evinced by the unbelieving savages than by our Christian
neighbors, subjects of the same sovereign, bound by their
oaths to protect us against insult and outrage."
The soldiery now flushed with triumph, were disposed to
celebrate whatever victory they obtained by firing a feu-de-
joie. They accordingly discharged three or four volleys.
This brought the Indians again together. Slechtenhorst
succeeded, however, in soothing their irritation, and per-
suaded them to depart. They returned, shortly, in increased
numbers, and inquired in angry terms, " If Wooden Leg's
dogs were gone ?" They were assured that all would yet
be well ; that they had been misinformed, that the houses
should not be pulled down. A threatening storm was thus
happily averted, for the director-general's rash conduct had
well nigh produced bloodshed, " and the ruin not only of the
colonie, but of the Manhattans and of the Christians within
this land, who are all at the mercy of the savages " espe-
cially had these been joined by some Christians, " as might
have been the case/'
Yan Slechtenhorst's indignation at this encroachment on
the patroon's privileges was n ot so easily removed. He gave
vent to his feelings in a long and angry protest. The demand
for a copy of his commission, and the summons to appear at Fort
Amsterdam, he answered by calling for a copy in writing of
the director-general's claims and complaints. "The noble
patroon had obtained his possessions and immunities ; was in-
vested by the States General with high and low jurisdiction
and the police of the most priviledged manors ; and were he,
as his agent, now so base as to crouch before the present un-
warrantable proceedings, and to produce his commission,
before he had received orders to that effect, from his lords
and masters, not only would they be injured, but he be guilty
of a violation of his oath and honor, a betrayal of his trust,
and a childish surrender of the rights of his patroon." He
could not, therefore, obey such demands, the illegality of
which was only rendered more flagrant by the unusual and
insolent manner in which they were made. If a sworn mes-
senger in Holland had to serve a summons, or to execute a
warrant, in one of the small cities, in the name of the supreme
Colony of Rensselaersioyck. 17
court, or of any of the states, he was previously required to
solicit admittance, consent and aid from the local magistrates,
who should give permission in writing, by endorsing the words
" Fiat insinuatio " on the paper, before the summons could be
made. This written authority was then placed in the hands
of the messenger of the city in which the order was to be
served, who thereupon made his first service both verbally
and in writing on the party complained against, and reported
the result to the messenger of the court or state. This, and
no other, constituted a legal service. Such was the practice
in Fatherland, even in the same province, though subject to
a high court of appeal. But none of these prerequisites were
observed by the director-general's commissary. Accompa-
nied by an armed soldiery, he not only entered the patroon's
jurisdiction, but violated, on the 28th September, the sanc-
tity of his house. Such illegal conduct betrayed a deep con-
tempt of the patroon and his court, as well as of the sovereign
whom they represent. Those who have been guilty of simi-
lar violations of law in Fatherland " had often been appre-
hended, and condemned to bread and water for the space of
five or six weeks ; yea, were sometimes brought to the block/'
so jealous was every local jurisdiction of the least encroach-
ment on its privileges.
As for preventing timber being cut within the colonie, is
the patroon, he demanded, not master on his own land ? Is
he not free to cut his timber at well as his corn ? And can
he not arrest these, when cut by others without his permis-
sion ? Jacob Janscn had cut two fir trees in the course of
the summer without leave; the patroon's officer seized them
eight days afterwards, on the river, and can he not now
exercise a like authority ? The objection, that the houses
he was building militated against the defense of the " famous
fortress," was, he again maintained, a mere pretense. " The
ten houses which stood betwixt them and the fort on the
north, besides those tothe west, and the patroon's woods, not
a stone's throw to the west, south-west and north-west,"
were left unmolested, though they were a greater obstruc-
tion than the new buildings to the fort, " which you can enter
or quit at pleasure, by night or by day," without let or
hindrance. " Wherefore it is notorious that all the present
proceedings emanated from party spirit ; had no foundation
18 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
in reason, and were as justifiable as the complaint in
fable, of Cousin Gysbert, who, whilst drinking on a hill from a
waterfall, quarrelled with a lamb, who stood below, for dis-
turbing the water and making it muddy."
This protest produced a long replication from the director
and council, whose power, it was maintained, " extended to the
colonie of Rensselaerswyck, as well as to the other colonies,
such as Heemstede, Vlissingen and Grravenzande." Strin-
gent orders were issued to Van Brugge and Labadie to prose-
cute and complete the repairs of the fort ; to procure, for that
purpose, timber everywhere within the limits of NewNether-
land ; to quarry stones " from the mountains, rocks and plains,
and have them conveyed from any place, and in the most
convenient manner, except from farms and plantations which
are fenced and cultivated, or about being so." In case the
people were forbid to assist with their horses and wagons,
the commissaries were to have a wagon made, and to use the
horses belonging to Jonas Bronck, on Van Curler's farm, as
he was indebted to the company. The jurisdiction of the
company, and " the antient and uninterrupted use of the
gardens and fields near the fort," were to be rigidly main-
tained, and the destruction of the buildings within musket
or cannon shot proceeded with forthwith.
The schout-fiscaal of New Netherland followed. He aver-
red that it was long since notorious that the director and
council had been treated with disrespect by Van Slechten-
horst. No court of justice in the colonie could pronounce
on the present case, even if the director general should con-
descend to appear before such a tribunal. The only question
to decide now was, whether Van Slechtenhorst had been
summoned three times by the company's commissary in the
presence of two credible witnesses; for it was, by no means,
the custom in Holland to serve written summons. It was a
base misrepresentation to assert that three armed soldiers
insolently intruded themselves into the patroon's house.
Van Brugge had knocked at the door " in a civil manner,"
and had been admitted by the back way when he "courteously"
demanded the commander to exhibit his commission and to
furnish him with a copy thereof. This having been re-
fused, a protest was served, according to order, and Van Slech-
tenhorst summoned to appear at Fort Amsterdam. He could
Colony of Rensselaerswyck. 19
have obeyed without inconvenience, as "the river remained
open, the winter pleasant, and several vessels sailed up and
down, during the whole month of November." Now, how-
ever, to remove all doubt, the citation was again renewed,
and the commander was peremptorily ordered to appear at
Fort Amsterdam, on the fourth of April next ensuing, by
the first sailing vessel, " where he will be informed of the
complaint against him." The director-general immediately
forwarded a report of the whole of this affair to his superiors.
The prospect from Fort Orange ought, in his opinion, to be
unobstructed, at least within circle of cannon shot : there were
plenty of vacant lots along the river, on which the inhabitants
could construct their dwellings, yet they persist, "through
pride," in building near the walls. But the truth was, it
was neither through pride nor obstinacy that the colonists,
at this early day, persisted in clinging to Fort Orange. This
post supplied them in their feebleness, with security against
the Indians, and they were loth to forego its protection.
Removed from the contentions which were distracting the
capital of New Netherland, Commander Van Slechtenhorst
was actively extending the limits of Rensselaerswyck, by the
purchase of the Muhegan lands to the south of that colonie.
On the 4th of September, 1648, he had acquired for the pa-
troon the tract called Paponicuck, in exchange for some
thirty ells of duifels and a few handfuls of powder 1 and this
spring purchased Katskill - and Claverack. On the other
side of the Atlantic, Wouter Van Twiller was boldly laying
claim to the control and monopoly of the upper waters of
the Hudson river, and publicly announcing his determina-
1 The names of the proprietors of Paponicuck, were Waneman-
keebe, Askanga his brother, Skiwias (alias Aepje), and Wainpumit,
"chiefs of the Mahecanders."
2 "In manner, under restriction, stipulation, and condition as
herein before particularly mentioned, [in the deed of Paponicuck,]
hath the honorable the director sent deputies in the presence of the
Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, in the name and for the account of the ho-
norable the patroon of this colonie Rensselaerswyck, and bought of
Pewasck, being a squaw, and chief of Katskill, therein included,
and her son Supahoof, through the medium and interpretation of
Skiwias, or Aepje, chief of the Mahecanders, a kil named Katskill,
accounted to be nine miles from Fort Orange, and six miles from
Beeren island, together with the land on both sides that is to say,
20 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
tion not to permit any merchant vessel to pass Beeren Island,
or to trade in the vicinity of Rensselaerswyck. For he
maintained that Fort Orange had been built on the patroon's
territory, and that none "not even the company" had a
right to permit others to erect houses or to pursue any
branch of business thereabout. Feudal law and feudal pri-
vileges thus brought along with them, into these parts, the
old feudal quarrels of Europe for the free navigation of na-
ture's highways to the ocean, and the question was whether
the North river should be open to all their high mighti-
nesses' subjects, or whether these should be debarred from its
use of the garrison on Beeren island, now named " in such a
lofty way, ' The place by right of arms/ " The absurdity
of the claim to the soil on which Fort Orange stood, was
clearly established, by the fact that that fort was built and
garrisoned by the company full fifteen years before the exist-
ence of Rensselaerswyck; that up to the year 1644, the com-
pany had the exclusive enjoyment of the fur trade, which
the company intended to reclaim "whenever it shall be able
to provide its magazines with a sufficient store of goods."
In view, therefore, of all these circumstances, and in order
to correct a state of things, of which the merchants gene-
rally complained, the directors determined to use their sove-
reign right to the confusion of Van Twiller "that ungrateful
individual, who had sucked his wealth from the breasts of
the company whom he now abuses." They accordingly dis-
patched orders to remove all obstructions to the free naviga-
tion of the North river and commercial intercourse with Fort
the kil with the falls, also along the north side of the kil three flat
parcels of land, and on the south side two flats, extending on both
sides, from the mouth of the kil unto the aforesaid fall, together
with the wood and pasture of the woods on both sides, to hold all
in peaceable possession. Whereof cession and conveyance are from
this day made to the aforesaid patroon. For the purchase thereof
is this day handed to them, by the honorable director of this colonie,
seventeen and one-half ells of duffels, a coat of beaver, and a knife,
and that in full without any further demand, all without fraud or
deceit. In witness whereof the aforesaid squaw as cedant, and her
son, with witnesses, have signed this instrument with their own
hands. Actum in the colonie Rensselaerswyck, this 19th day of
April, Anno 1649. Skiwias for his* services hath received 5J ells
of duffels." [All these goods were valued at gl. 108, 16.]
Colony of Renssdaerswyck. 21
Orange. If Van Twiller should again plant guns near that
river, they were to be seized ; and if any person dared to ex-
act tolls, or salt duty, on any rivers, islands, or harbors
within the company's limits, to the injury of the inhabitants
or traders generally, such were to be prevented by all means
possible e?en by force if necessary as it was the firm de-
termination of the directors never to part with these preemi-
nences or jurisdictions to any colonists whatsoever. 1
Previous to this date Van Slechtenhorst had granted seve-
ral leases for land in Katskill. But the directors refused to
admit the patroon's pretensions to that section of country, as
it had already been granted to another. In conformity with
his instructions, -Stuyvesant now protested against those
leases, and announced his resolution to oppose these encroach-
ments. The authorities of Rensselaerswyck were, conse-
quently much embarrassed, and therefore remonstrated : they
had only obeyed the orders of their superiors in Holland :
" as two opposite things can not be made to approximate un-
less one give way," it is easy to see how impossible it had
become for them to perform their duty according to their
oaths. " It is unbecoming natives of the United Nether-
lands," they added, " to loosen the bond of union by which
they are joined ; on the contrary, they ou<.'ht to use all pos-
sible means to tighten it." They therefore requested the
director-general to defer further proceedings in the matter,
until they should communicate with their superiors, and
promised in the meanwhile neither to send nor allow to be
sent any settlers or cattle to the land in dispute. Thus was
impeded the early settlement of the present county of Greene.
The local authorities were now earnestly besought to pro-
vide the inhabitants with a'proper schoolmaster, "Perceiv-
ing how necessary such a person was to the establishment of
a well-constituted republic," a committee was appointed to
build a school-house and to collect funds for defraying what-
ever expenses might be incurred. Andries Jansz was
appointed to take charge of this institution in the course of
the following year, and received a present, on entering on
the discharge of his duties, of twenty dollars.
l Alb.Rec., IY, 44, 46, 49, 50.
22 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
Whilst engaged in this praiseworthy undertaking, the set-
tlers were thrown into great consternation by a report that
the Mohawks were meditating an attack upon them. An
Indian from Tappaan had arrived "unasked and unexpected, "
and said, " Ye Dutchman have now been selling guns long
enough to the Maquaas. They have been among us, and by
presents, engaged us to assist them to kill you when the river
takes. They have been likewise among the southern Indians,
who have promised also to lend them a hand." When closely
questioned he persisted in his statement. " Come and take
me, and bind me fast; and if it do not happen at the stated
time, as I have said, then strike me dead ! " Asseverations
so strong could not fail to convince. The settlers were called
together, and the whole matter was laid before them. Opi-
nions, however, differed. Some were for repelling force by
force : others recommended negotiation. The latter and
wiser policy prevailed and the authorities passed, accordingly,
the following resolutions :
" The insecurity of our lives and property forces itself
continually upon us, living, as we do, under the licentious
constraint of inhuman men and cruel heathens. Of this we
had, last year, a suspicion, but now it has really manifested
itself by evident demonstration and truthlike predictions and
advices communicated to us, not by the parties implicated,
but by warnings and premonitions from far distant Indians.
Though some have ad vised a recourse to arms and resistance,
and to measure our weakness with their strength, the director, .
commissaries and council, weighing the necessity of the case
have concluded and resolved to commission and empower
Mons. Arendt Van Curler, Gerrit Van Wencom, Cornelis
Teunisz. van Breuckelen, Thomas Chambers, and Volckert
Hanz (being thereunto requested), to repair, with a suitable
present to the Mohawk country, and to renew former friend-
ship and alliance, for the welfare of the Patroon's colonie,
the safety of the common weal, and the protection of our
wives and children, all which they willingly undertake."
Labadie, the French commissary at Fort Orange, who was
well acquainted with the Mohawk tongue, was invited to
accompany this embassy; but he refused. Would it not be
better, he was asked, to embrace peace than war ? "It
matters little to those in the fort," he selfishly replied, " how
Colony of Hensselaerswyck. 23
it goes whether it be war or peace ;" and truly they could
not but feel secure. In addition to whatever arms they might
have belonging to the company, the commissary, to render
his position stronger, had borrowed three pieces one a six,
another a five, and the third a three pounder, belonging to
the Fatroon. With these, therefore, it mattered little with
him what the relations with the Indians were. But it was
far different with the mass of the unprotected colonists.
The ambassadors departed in the beginning of October,
solemnly assuring the authorities of Rensselaerswyck that
they should do all in their power to promote peace. To re-
move all cause of future misunderstanding with the Indians,
a placard was issued abolishing licenses to trade in the
interior, as well as " bosloopers " or runners, called by the
French " coureurs de bois," a " fountain of mischief, trouble
and animosity " " but as this could not be properly or
effectually accomplished without the consent of the people,
the latter, in confirmation of their good inclination, have, as
far as they were concerned, assented thereto, in Fort Orange,
under their own hands."
The embassy to the Mohawk was successful. Presents
were distributed among them to the amount of five hundred
and seventy-five guilders ; the expenses of the delegation
amounted to eighty-one and a half guilders, or about thirty
dollars, the whole of which sums were paid by the authorities
of Rensselaerswyck. 1
In 1651, the call for a subsidy from Rensselaerswyck
brought on a collision between the authorities of that colonie
and the provincial government. The latter had, already,
peremptorily demanded the excise on wines and strong liquors
consumed in the Patroon's district, which was refused. It
was considered an invasion of the freedoms, and in direct
opposition to the custom of fatherland. The Patroon had de-
frayed, from his own resources, the salaries of the minister
and other public servants, as well as the general expenses
attendant on the settlement of the country. These had
amounted, on the 30th of June, 1650, to the sum of twenty-
five thousand seven hundred and seventy-three guilders, or
1 Gerechtsrolle der Colonie. The items of expenses are stated
in Slechtenkorst's accounts.
24 Colony of RensselaerswycL
more than ten thousand dollars ; no part of which had been
paid either by the company, or the codirectors of the colonie. 1
It would be, therefore, submitting to a wrong to consent to
the demand now put forth. As it was a matter, however,
that concerned the common interests of the country and the
privileges of the colonie, commander Van Slechtenhorst was
commissioned to proceed to New Amsterdam, to remonstrate
with the director and council against it.
He arrived at the Manhattans towards the close of the
month of April, and took the earliest opportunity to repre-
sent how contrary to reason, law and usage were the proposed
exactions. But Stuyvesant was inexorable, and Slechten-
horst, on his side, was equally unyielding ; " for it was a
matter of great importance, which may cause not only tumult
but bloodshed in the country." The parties separated, but
Slechtenhorst had not yet finished his dinner, when a mes-
senger summoned him before the director-general and coun-
cil. Immediately on his appearance the authorities pro-
ceeded to pronounce sentence against him, animadverting in
strong terms on his conduct, especially in reference to the
settlement of Katskill. Slechtenhorst, no ways daunted,
demanded if a man could be condemned unheard ? The
only answer he received was an order for his arrest. He
was detained four months at the Manhattans, notwithstand-
ing he repeatedly protested against his detention, and the
authorities of Rensselaerswyck made several applications for
his release. Finally, seeing no prospect of obtaining per-
mission to depart, he embarked in a sloop, and returned to
Fort Orange, having given a guaranty to the skipper to see
him harmless, should he be prosecuted for having received
him on board. It was well for the skipper that he had taken
this precaution ; for, on his return to the Manhattans, his vessel
was arrested, and he was fined two hundred and fifty guild-
ers and costs. Van Slechtenhorst estimated his expenses
in consequence of these proceedings at about four hundred
dollars.
1 This expenditure is stated in a letter, signed by Johan Van
Wely and John B. Van Rensselaer, and dated 7th April, 1671.
Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts.
Colony of Rensselaerswyck. 25
Three years had now elapsed since director Stuyvesant
set up a claim for a separate jurisdiction for Fort Orange,
distinct and independent of that of Rensselaerswyck. Yet
the question remained still unsettled. Lines were not drawn
in those days with as much precision as in our times. The
Indians measured by the day's journey; Stuyvesant by the
cannon ball. The jurisdiction of the fort, as claimed by him,
extended over a circumference within the range of gun shot,
which he estimated at six hundred paces of five feet to a
pace; l a distance subsequently estimated at one hundred and
fifty rods. As the hamlet of Beverwyck, now becoming every
day more populous and valuable, would, by this operation, be
severed from the colonie; and as the company could not fail,
in consequence, to secure the greater part of the fur trade,
to the serious injury of the Patroon, considerable opposition
was manifested to Stuyvesant's pretension. The authorities
of Rensselaerswyck maintained that the fort stood on the
Patroon's soil; that the whole territory from Beeren island
to the Cohoes was his ; and that, consequently, the fort could
have no jurisdiction beyond its walls. As for trading in
furs, or cutting timber, it was, they insisted, a flagrant spolia-
tion of the Patroon's property.
Jean Baptiste Van Rensselaer, the first of that family who
visited this country, was elected one of its magistrates, whilst
this controversy was at its height. Shortly afterwards, an
order was issued that all the freemen and inhabitants should
take the oath of allegiance to the Patroon and his represent-
atives.
These conflicting pretensions were necessarily productive
of a bad state of feeling between the opposing parties. On
New Year's night, some soldiers, armed with matchlocks, sal-
lied from the fort, and fired a number of shots at the Pa-
troon's house. Several pieces of ignited wadding settled on
the roof (which was of reed), and had caused the destruction
of the building had not the inmates been on the alert. On
the following day, the soldiers assaulted young Slechtenhorst
1 De forts gerechticheyt synde, naer gemeene ordre ende gebruyck,
ontrent de doel van een gotelings schoot, gereckent op ses hondert
geometressche passen.
Annals, ii. 3
26 Colony of EensselaersioycL
in the street, "and not only beat him black and blue, but
dragged him through the mud and mire in the presence of
Joannes Dyckman, the company's commissary, 1 who cried
out all the time, "Let him have it now, and the d 1 take
him ! " Philip Pietersen Schuyler endeavored to save his
brother-in-law. Dyckman, hereupon, drew his sword and
threatened to run Schuyler through, if he interfered. The
soldiers struck others of the commander's children, and
threatened to shoot them, but were prevented. The friends
of the family were justly incensed at this outrage, and me-
naced revenge. This coming to Dyckman's ears, he, it is
represented, ordered the guns of the fort to be loaded with
frape, with the intention of blowing down the patroon's
ouse.
Things were in this unpleasant state when Stuyvesant
sent up some placards relating to the limits of Fort Orange,
which he ordered to have published in the colonie. Dyck-
man, accompanied by six followers and three soldiers " armed
with carbines and pistols," proceeded to the house where the
magistrates were in session, and demanded of Slechtenhorst
to make a minute of what he was about to require. As it
was contrary to law for any man to enter another's jurisdic-
tion with an armed posse, without the previous consent of
the local authorities, Dyckman's conduct was looked upon as
an additional insult, against which Slechtenhorst protested,
ordering the commissary at the same time to quit the room.
Dyckman retired ; but " as force hath more to say here than
justice/' he returned with increased numbers, and demanded
that the placards should be published throughout the co-
lonie by the sound of the bell. " It shall not be done so long
as we have a drop of blood in our veins," replied the court,
" nor until we receive orders from their high mightinesses
and our honored masters." But Dyckman, nevertheless,
persisted, and ordered the porter to ring the bell. This was
opposed also. Dyckman now proceeded to the fort; ordered
1 Dyckman had been first clerk to the Amsterdam Chamber of the
West India Company, and sailed in the Waterhound, in the spring
of 1651, for New Netherland, having been appointed bookkeeper, at
a salary of 30 fl. per month and board. On his arrival he was sent
as commissary and vice director to Fort Orange, which offices he
filled until 1655, when, having become deranged, he was superseded.
Colony of Renssdaerswyck. 27
the bell there to be rung three times ; then returned to the
Patroon's court-house; ascended the front stoop, or steps,
with his armed followers, whilst the wondering burghers
stood round, and directed his deputy to make proclamation
of the placards. The latter was about to obey, when Van
Slechtenhorst, rushing forward, tore the placards from his
hands, " so that the seals fell on the ground." Another long
protest followed from the authorities of the colonie, whilst
young Van Rensselaer said to the crowd, "Go home, good
friends! 'tis only the wind of a cannon ball fired six hundred
paces off."
On receiving the report of these accurrences, the director-
general immediately dispatched another. placard to Dyckman,
again declaring the jurisdiction of Fort Orange to extend
within a circumference of six hundred paces of said fort,
"and in order that no man shall plead ignorance, we further
charge our commissary, after publication hereof, to erect on
the aforesaid limits, north, south and west of the aforesaid
fortress, a post, marked with the company's mark, and
to affix on a board nailed thereto, a copy hereof/' Within
these bounds, no house was, for the future, to be built, ex-
cept by consent of the director and council, or those autho-
rized to act for them. 1 This violent and illegal act, violat-
ing at once the rights of property and the sixth article of
the charter of 1629, severed, now and forever, the town of
Beverwyck from Van Rensselaer's colonie. 2 It was not,
1 Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts.
2 The Patroon and codirectors of Rensselaerswyck never ceased
to protest against this high handed proceeding, and to demand the
restitution of the property thus unlawfully taken from them.
They succeeded at length in 1673 (when the country fell a second
time into the hands of the Dutch), in obtaining tardy justice. On
the 3d of April of that year, the directors of the West India Com-
pany acknowledged, by a notorial act, after having examined the
original Indian deeds, that the proprietors of the colonie were also
right owners of the town, then called Willemstadt ; that the aggres-
sion committed against them by director Stuy vesant, was in special
violation of the 6th Art. of the charter of 1629, and could neither
take away nor diminish the proprietorship claimed by the parties.
The company at the same time declared that they had no right or
claim to any part of the said colonie. This view of the case was ad-
mitted also by Gov. Dongan, in 1686, who considered it necessary
to obtain a release from the Patroon of all his claims, before he could
legally incorporate the city of Albany.
28 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
however, quietly submitted to by the authorities of the lat-
ter, for they immediately ordered their constable to remove
the posts forthwith, " protesting before Almighty G-od and
the states-general, against all open force and violence, and
insisting on reparation for all losses and damages which
might accrue, or be caused thereby." On the same day, the
court drew up a long remonstrance u against the unbecoming
pretensions and attacks of the director and council of New
Netherland," in which they denied that the latter had any
authority over the colony ; they had never sworn allegiance
to the company, much less to Monsieur Stuyvesant, and
owned no masters but the states-general, and their own imme-
diate superiors, whose lands have been erected into a perpe-
tual fief, with high, middle, and low jurisdiction ; and he
who would now destroy this, must be more powerful than
the company, " yea, than their high mightinesses." The
late director Kieft, understood the law better than those
who administer it now-a-days ; and this will be made mani-
fest when the matter shall be subjected to that touchstone. 1
This paper was declared, by the director and council, " a
libellous calumny." Secretary de Hooges was called on to
furnish the names of the magistrates who had voted in favor
of it, and threatened, in case of disobedience, to prosecute
him for contumacy.
In the meanwhile the question of jurisdiction presented
itself in a new shape to agitate and disturb still further this
infant hamlet. A negress belonging to Sander Leendert-
fien Glen, charged with theft, caused several u decent per-
sons " to be prosecuted as receivers of stolen goods. She was
ordered to be arrested for defamation, and Dyckrnan pro-
ceeded to take up the wench. Her master refused to surren-
der her that evening. Dyckman, offended at this, told the
burgher that he had power to send him and all his family to
jail ; to pull his house down about his ears, and trample it
1 On the 13th of this month, the authorities of the colonie pur-
chased from the Indians two tracts of land on the east side of the
Hudson, and situate north-east of the flats. One of these was
called Paanpaack (on which the city of Troy now stands), the other
Panhoosick, or Hoosick, as it is now called, which adjoined the first
mentioned on the north. It is described as running landward in
" unto the Wappenakicks, or otherwise to the Fresh river."
Colony of Benssefaerswyck. 29
underneath his feet, " as it was erected on the company's soil/
" I have nothing to do with you/' replied Glen ; u I can not
serve a new master until I am discharged from the one I
live under." The commissary threatened him with Stuy-
vesant, but the other thought he should fare as well at the
director-general's hands as he. This retort overthrew Dyck-
man's temper. He drew his rapier and threatened to run his
adversary through. But Glen was not afraid. He seized a
stick to repel his assailant, who then retired. Next morning
he was summoned to the fort, and placed under arrest. Ru-
mors now became rife that Stuyvesant was about to visit the
place, and the commissary went so far as to give out that a
new gallows was building for Slechtenhorst and his son, and
for young Van Rensselaer, who were put down as the foment-
ers of this rebellion." 1
The director was at this time occupied in ridding himself
of all that remained of his opponents at New Amsterdam.
Melyn was in a manner outlawed ; Van Dinclage had retired
to Staten Island to brood over his contumelies ; Van Schel-
luyne durst not exercise his profession, and the nine men
were under ban. The only one undisposed of was attorney-
general Van Dyck, and his hour had now arrived.
From the moment that he had been commissioned, he was
treated by Stuyvesant with marked contumely, and excluded
from the council for over two years after his arrival in the
colony. In the exercise of his office he was most commonly
employed as a scrivener, to copy legal papero, the drafts of
which the director-general usually prepared ; at other times
he was "charged to look after the pigs and keep them out
of the fort, a duty which a negro could very well perform."
When Van Dyck happened to object, the director " got as
angry as if he would swallow him up ; " or if he presumed
to disobey, " put him in confinement, or bastinadoed him
with his rattan ! " A series of ill-usage such as this natu-
rally drove the fiscaal into the ranks of the opposition.
Charges of drunkenness and of having received bribes were
brought against him as early as 1647, and periodically re-
newed, but did not accomplish as yet his dismissal or disgrace.
1 Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts,
30 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
But in the spring of this year * a silly lampoon against
the director-general made its appearance, and Van Dyck was
put down as its author.' 2 The council was convoked to con-
sider this weighty affair of state, and a resolution followed,
dismissing the schout-fiscaal from office, " on account of the
multitude of his misdemeanors and connivances. " This
resolution purported to be " by and with the advice of the
nine men," but these repudiated the assertion, and declared,
" that they never had any knowledge of the commonalty,
having complained of Van Dyck ; that they never had agreed
to the resolution ordering his dismissal ; that Stuy vesant had
passed it on his own authority, and that the secretary
had falsely appended to it their names."
To fill this vacancy, Cornelius Van Tienhoven, the puta-
tive author of the above intrigue, received the appointment
of attorney-general; Carel Van Brugge, " an Englishman,"
provisionally succeeded him as provincial secretary ; and
Adriaen Van Tienhoven became receiver-general in place of
his brother.
" Were an honorable person appointed in my stead," says
Van Dyck, commenting on these proceedings, " the false
1 The directors, writing this year to Stuy vesant, say : " We have
observed that your climate does not reform much the manners of in-
dividuals. Of this there is yet much less hope if the chiefs of the
administrations set a bad example to others. In this respect, we re-
ceive many complaints from those who return from New Netherland,
against the attorney-general, for drunkenness and other vices. If he
continue such a disorderly life, we shall be compelled to employ
such means of restraint as we deem expedient." Alb. Rec., iv, 74.
a This pasquinade was in these terms : " Myn Heer General !
It is impossible for me to conceal from your excellency, that I heard
you scolded and cursed on the evening of the llth of March, at Mr.
Fyn's house, as a rogue and a tyrant, with many other calumnious
defamations, which cut me to the heart. Thou art a God appointed
of God ! I pray you for Christ's sake to prevent it, or I shall feel
very unhappy, for I can no longer listen to it, and durst not acquaint
you with it by word of mouth. Christman, Fyn, and two other
women heard it also. I wish that the fiscaal would bestir himself.
No other man is better. Was neither signed nor subscribed, nor
compared with the discovered scrap, this 28th March, 1652, in New
Amsterdam, (signed), Cor. Van Thienh., secretary," Van Dyck ac-
cused Van Tienhoven, Christman (V. T.'s clerk), and others of hav-
ing got up this plot, and circulated this lampoon to have him dis-
missed. Hoi. Doc., vi, 263-265.
Colony of Renssdaerswyck. 31
accusations against me, which have been so long resolved
upon and written, might have some semblance of truth; but
the person whom the director-general hath, on his own mere
motion, made fiscaal, is his perjured secretary, who returned
here contrary to their high mightinesses' prohibition ; a
public, notorious, and convicted whore-monger and oath-
breaker ; a reproach to this country, and the main scourge
of both Christians and heathens, with whose sensualities the
director himself has been always acquainted." "The -fault
of drunkenness could easily be noticed in me, but not in
Van Tienhoven, who has frequently come out of the tavern
so full that he could go no further, and was forced to lie
down in the gutter." 1
Having thus disposed of Van Dyck, Stuyvesant turned
his attention to Van Slechtenhorst, and to conclude all diffi-
culties with him, repaired to Fort Orange and called on the
authorities of Rensselaerswyck to state where their bounds
commenced. It was indifferent to him from what point,
north or south, they should start. The exemptions allowed
them four miles on one, or two miles on both banks of the
river, and he was prepared to concede to that extent ; but
he warned them, if they should refuse this " reasonable
offer," he would proceed ex parte. They replied that they
had no instruction to act in the premises ; and requested
delay, until they advised with the interested parties in Hol-
land. The delay was granted, but the question of supremacy
over Beverwyck was not so easily settled. Sergeant Litchoe
presented himself with a party of soldiers before the patroon's
house, and having stationed his followers at the door, or-
dered Van Slechtenhorst to strike the patroon's flag. The
latter peremptorily refused to obey, whereupon " fourteen sol-
diers armed with loaded muskets, entered the enclosure, and
after firing a volley, hauled down the lord's colors." Stuy-
vesant followed up this act, by issuing a proclamation erect-
ing in Fort Orange a court of justice for the village of
Beverwyck and its dependencies, apart from, and independent
of, that of Rensselaerswyck. This placard having been affixed
to the court house of the eolonie, was torn down by Van
Steehtenhorst, who in return posted a proclamation vindicat-
l Alb. Bee., in, 264-268 ; Hoi Doc., yi, 194-276.
32 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
ing the patroon's rights, and denouncing the pretensions
of those who infringed them. This was removed by those
of the fort. 1
From the date of general Stuyvesant's proclamation above
mentioned, reckons the establishment of a legal tribunal in
Beverwyck, and consequently, in the present city of Albany.
It was an exercise of the prerogative which followed naturally
the high-handed proclamation of the fifth of March pre-
cedipg.
Van Slechtenhorst's reign was now evidently drawing to
a close. For four years he had manfully defended the rights
of his " orphan patroon," and unflinchingly contended against
the invasions of superior force. But what, in those days,
could avail in New Netherland the opposition of one man
against the attacks of the executive ? Nine armed soldiers
burst into his house, and, without exhibiting any authority
for the act, dragged him, a prisoner, " against all his pro-
tests/' to Fort Orange, " where neither his children, his
master, nor his friends, were allowed to speak to him," whilst
"his furs, his clothes, and his meat were left hanging to the
door-posts," and his house and papers were abandoned to the
mercy of his enemies. He was next conveyed on board a
sloop lying in the river, and removed, in charge of a guard,
to New Amsterdam, " to be tormented, in his sickness and
old age, with unheard of and insufferable prosecutions, by
those serving a Christian government, professing the same
religion, and living under the same authority." 2
Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer succeeded Van Slechtenhorst
as director, and Gerrit Swart was appointed sheriff or schout-
fiscaal of Rensselaerswyck in his place. Provision was made
1 Gerechtsrolle der Colonie Rensselaerswyck, 103-114 ; Alb. Rec.,
ix, 123 ; Rensselaersvyyck Manuscripts. - Gerechtsroll evan den
Banck van Justitie der Fortresse Orange, Dorpe Beverswyck ende
appendentie van dien, door den Eerentfesten ende Achtbaeren Heer,
Myn Heeren de Heer Directeur Generaal en Raaden van Nieuw
Nederlandt, den 10 Aprilis AO 1652, in loco synde gestelt. Mort-
gage Book A, in County Clerk's Office, Albany.
2 Slechtenhorst's Memorial, Manuscript. It has been stated that
the commander was lodged in the keep at New Amsterdam. This
was not so. He was placed under what was called civil arrest.
Some of his time was passed at Staten Island, some at Breukelen.
Colony of Rensselaersivyck. 33
at the same time for the regular preaching of the gospel, and
the conversion of the heathen, by the appointment of the
Rev. G-ideon Schaets as minister of the colonie, at a salary
of eight hundred guilders, or $320 per annum. This
stipend was afterwards raised to one thousand, and then to
thirteen hundred guilders. 1
Information was received by the patroon and codirectors
of Rensselaerswyck of the high-handed measures which Stuy-
vesant had exercised in the early part of this year in regard
of their colonie. They thereupon sent in to the Amsterdam
chamber a remonstrance, complaining, 1st. That the di-
rector-general had dared to intrude in their colonie, and had
commanded the patroon's flag to be hauled down; 2d. That
he had caused timber to be cut on the complainant's lands,
without either their knowledge or permission; 3d. That he
had claimed for the company the right of jurisdiction and
property over all the land within a circumference of one hun-
dred and fifty rods of Fort Orange, where he had erected a court
of justice, notwithstanding the soil had been purchased from
the right owners by the patroon, with the jurisdictions there-
unto belonging ; whereby the colonists were reduced to a
state of dependency, absolved from their oaths, " transformed
from freemen to vassals, and incited to disregard their former
solemn compacts and their lord and master;" 4th. He
had, moreover, discharged sheriff Swart from his oath of office
and obliged him to swear allegiance to the company; 5th.
Demanded copies of all the rolls, protocols, judgments, reso-
lutions and papers relative to the colonie and its affairs; 6th.
Ordered his commissary to force Van Slechtenhorst's house,
and to toll the bell at the publication of his illegal placards ;
7th. Arrested by force and arms the director of the colonie;
had him conveyed to the Manhattans, where he illegally
detained him in custody ; 8th. Taxed the colonie to swell
the company's revenues; licensed those who quit the patroon's
service to sell articles of contraband to the savages; and in
1 The power of attorney to J. B. Van Rensselaer is dated 8th May,
1652. Gerrit Swart was born in 1607, and was, consequently, 45
years of age when he came to New Netherland. He filled the
office of sheriff in Albany, to 1670, when Capt. Salisbury was elected
his successor, by a majority of the burghers of that city.
34 Colony of JRensselaerswyck.
addition to the exaction of the tithes, had raised a tax by farm-
ing out the excise on wines and beers " thus in every respect
and everywhere using violence and infringing rights, juris-
dictions and preeminences, apparently determined to take
our goods and blood, contrary to all laws, human and divine ;
declaring, over and above all this, that he is continued in
his administration solely in the hope and consideration that
before his departure he should ruin this colonie." 1 The
patroon and codirectors solemnly avowed their intention
" to employ all lawful remedies to preserve and maintain
their rights and privileges, and to protect their colonists
against such lawless aggressions," and insisted that the
West India Company should forthwith order their director
to abandon these attempts, repeal his placards, and compen-
sate for the injuries which he had inflicted. But if the
directors were of opinion that they had any just cause of
complaint, they were then called on to appear in any court
of justice to make good their pretensions before " our com-
mon judges." Failing to answer categorically the above
accusations within fourand-twenty hours, the interested par-
ties threatened " to complain where they expect they shall
be heard."
The director answered in vague terms, that they were un-
willing to commit an infraction on any person's privileges ;
but this not being deemed satisfactory, the patroon and his
friends addressed a memorial to their high mightinesses the
states- general, of whom they demanded justice and redress.
This paper was immediately sent to the department of Am-
sterdam, who, after considerable delay, returned a reply to
some of the charges brought against their agent in New
Netherland. They denied all knowledge of the patroon's
a We, the undersigned, certify that it happened in December,
Anno 1651, when M. Joannes Dyckman was in conversation with
us concerning the Heer General Petrus Stuyvesant, and the differ-
ence between his honour and the colonie, that he answered there-
upon, that the Heer General was continued in his office for no other
purpose than to plague the colonie. This we declare to have oc-
curred, and are ready to confirm the same by a solemn oath. Done
in the Colonie Rensselaerswyck, the 16th March, AO 1652. B. V.
Slechtenhorst, Director; A. van Curler. Rensselaerswyck Manu-
scripts.
Colony of JRensselaerswyck. 35
flag having been hauled down; of his colonists having been
released from their oaths ; of any of his lots having been taken
away; and of the establishment of a court of justice in Fort
Orange. The timber was removed from a place so defined as
to injure no one, and all complaints against the extension
of the jurisdiction of Fort Orange were without foundation.
That jurisdiction was determined " before the colonie of
Kensselaerswyck was granted." " The limits of the colonie
were, therefore, fixed above and below the fort, under whose
walls the petitioners were afterwards permitted to shelter
themselves from the savages; but from this concession
no right or title can be imagined or acquired." G-errit Swart
was not discharged from his oath to the patroon. He was
only obliged to take a second one to the company, " remain-
ing subject to both masters." The demand of the rolls
and papers belonging to the colonie, as well as the levy-
ing tithes and excise therein, was authorized by the charter.
As Van Slechtenhorst would not " toll the bell " on the
publication of the placards, it was unavoidably necessary
that it should be executed by others ; and his arrest was
imperatively demanded in order to curb the insufferable
insolence, effrontery and abuse of power," of which he was
guilty. The authorizing the sale of arms and ammunition
to the savages was acknowledged. " It was deemed prudent
that it should be now and then permitted."
Having thus disposed in one way or another, and as best
they could, of the charges which were brought against them,
the directors now assumed the offensive, and presented
against the patroon and codirectors of Rensselaerswyck a
number of counter-charges, in justification of the measures
they had adopted, or as an offset to those accusations made
against themselves.
They had, it was averred, exceeded their lawful limits, and
were now called on to record their boundary lines in the land
office of the company, otherwise the latter would have the
survey made by its own orders. They had attempted,
against all law, to extend their lines along the North river,
to monopolize the trade, to the ruin of private persons.
They refused to permit any vessel to pass by a certain house
called Rensselaers-stein, and claimed without any founda-
tion the privilege of staple right. They exacted seven per
36 Colony of Renssdaerswyck.
cent duty on each beaver and five per cent on other goods,
enforcing these pretensions with cannon shot, which they
discharged into yachts that refused to come to. They have
endeavored, " by perverse machinations ; " to possess them-
selves of Fort Orange, and when frustrated herein, they
undertook to lease lots in its vicinity and erect buildings
thereupon. " They had dared to grant commissions to indi-
viduals to sail to the coast of Florida ; " and forbade colo-
nists to move within the company's limits on pain of corporal
punishment, confiscation of property and banishment; to
cut or cart wood for the inhabitants of Fort Orange ; to pay
to the latter what they owed them ; or to appeal from any
judgments over fifty guilders, as they were privileged to do.
They declined to furnish any extracts of their proceedings
or judgments ; to make returns to writs of appeal ; to publish
placards or permit such publication by others, but tear them
by force from the hands of court messengers and destroy
their seals; and if any writ be served by the company's
officers, then they incite the parties summoned not to appear.
Over and above all this, the oath which the colonists are
compelled to take is " seditious and mutinous," for no notice
is taken therein, either of their high mightinesses or of
the company. No report has been made of the state of the
colonie, as should have been annually done, nor have the
instructions issued for the administration of the colonie been
ever communicated, as the charter required. " From all
which flow, as a natural consequence, an insolent and over-
bearing demeanor on the part of their commanders to their
inhabitants; insufferable protests, injuries, menaces, dis-
putes and provocations against the company's ministers;
and, lastly, a general disobedience of all the company's com-
mands and ordinances, to such a degree that they would not
permit the director and council to proclaim even a day of
prayer in the colonie in the same manner as in all other
parts of New Netherlands' l
The limits between Fort Orange and the colonie were in
1654 still undetermined. Some confusion as to jurisdiction
necessarily ensued, to remove which the director-general
called again on the patroon's agents to fix on their point of
Alb. Rec., vm, 59-63, 215-221 ; Hoi. Doc., vi, 303-306 ; vn, 1-24.
Colony of Rensselaerswyck. 37
departure, as he was willing to allow them, agreeably to the
charter, four miles on one side, or two on each bank of the
river, " without the limits of Fort Orange." The magistrates
of the colonie being unprovided with instructions from their
superiors requested delay, and Stuyvesant seized an opportu-
nity which offered, shortly after, to enlarge his juris-
diction. The court of Rensselaerswyck was about to farm
the excise, and demanded how far they could collect this im-
post. The answer was an order to the court of Fort Orange
to collect the duties on all wines, beers and spirituous liquors
sold by retail " within a circuit of one thousand rods of the
fort." The colonie was hereby deprived of a very important
source of revenue, and fresh fuel was heaped on the old fires
of litigation and trouble. As if the elements of strife were
not sufficiently numerous, a claim for tenths was also put
in. Counter orders were given by the patroon's officers to
their vintners, to refuse the payment of the excise, on the
ground that the general government defrayed none of the
local charges; and as for the tenths, " neither the inhabitants
of the colonie nor those of Beverwyck could be induced
either by monitions or persuasions to pay them." 1
Commissary Dyckman, whose violent demeanor might,
long ere this, justified doubts of the soundness of his mind,
became now so unquestionably insane that the magistrates
were forced to represent his condition to the supreme coun-
cil, who thereupon appointed Johannes de Decker vice-
director, "to preside in Fort Orange and the village of
Beverwyck, in the court of justice of the commissaries
aforesaid to administer all the affairs of police and justice,
as circumstances may require, in conformity to the instruc-
tions given by the director general and council, and to pro-
mote these for the best service of the country and the
prosperity of the inhabitants."
Shortly after the installation of the new vice director,
Father Le Moyne took occasion to pay his respects to the
Dutch at Beverwyck. He was received with much respect
by the Hollanders; and the Mohawks whom he visited for
the purpose of concluding a treaty on the part of the
French evinced more than ordinary gratification at seeing
1 Alb. Rec., iv, 213 ; ix, 121-125, 126, 129.
Annals, ii. 4
38 Colony of EensselaerswycL
him. 1 But the Father had not well left the country when a
body of one hundred of these Indians presented themselves
at Fort Orange. They were on the eve of setting forth on
a war excursion against the Canada Indians, and fearing
" that the French had poisoned the ears of their Dutch
brothers against them," now asked the latter to remain neu-
ter. They complained, at the same time, that when they
visited the fort, they did not experience as much hospitality
and feasting as the Dutch did when they came to their cas-
tles ; they could not have the smallest repairs done to their
guns unless they had wampum to pay in return, which
treatment was not such as a brother should receive from a
brother. The authorities assured them that they should
observe a perfect neutrality, as they had no concern with
their quarrels with other Indians. When they visited the
Mohawk country they went few in number, and should their
brothers observe the same rule, they should be lodged and
entertained in a manner becoming their rank. In regard to
the other subject of complaint, they could not interfere.
Every Dutchman was obliged to earn his bread, and no man
could be obliged to serve another for nothing. This being
the rule among Christians, their brothers could not justly
complain if they were treated as their other brethren. Pre-
sents were duly exchanged. The Indians laid their wam-
pum belts at the feet of the white men, and the latter
furnished powder and lead in return; "all which they
accepted with their customary barbarous applaudings," and
departed.' 2
The church erected in 1643 had long since become inad-
equate to the accommodation of the community, and it had
been determined in the course of the preceding year to erect
a new building. To assist this good work, the patroon and
codirectors subscribed one thousand guilders or four hundred
dollars, 3 and fifteen hundred guilders were appropriated
1 Relation, 1655, 1656, 7-16.
2 Present on this occasion, Commissary De Decker and the ma-
gistrates of both the courts, viz ; Rutger Jacobsen, Andries Herperts,
Volckert Jansen, J. B. Van Rensselaer, A. van Curler, J. van
Twiller, J. Hap, H. Jochemsen, and Philip Pietersen Schuyler, &c.
Fort Orange Rec.
8 Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts.
Colony of Rensselaerswyck. 39
from the fines imposed by the court at Fort Orange. A
site, at the junction of what is now State street and Broad-
way, was selected, and in the early part of the summer, Rut-
ger Jacobsen, one of the magistrates, laid the corner-stone
of the sacred edifice, in the presence of the authorities,
both of the town and colonie, and of the assembled inhabit-
ants. A temporary pulpit was, at first, erected for the use
of the minister, but the settlers subscribed twenty-five bea-
vers to purchase a more splendid one in Holland. The
Chamber at Amsterdam added seventy-five guilders to this
sum, for" the beavers were greatly damaged;" and "with
a view to inspire the congregation with more ardent zeal,"
presented them in the course of the next year with a bell
"to adorn their newly constructed little church." 1
The difficulties about the excise in the colonie remaining
still unsettled, orders were sent up by the director and coun-
cil to arrest and convey the contumacious tapsters to New
Amsterdam. De Decker accordingly invited one of them to
his house, where, on his arrival, he made him prisoner.
The sloop in which he was to be conveyd down the river
not being ready to sail until the next day, De Decker, for
greater security, lodged his prisoner through the night in
the same bed with himself. Through the connivance of the
soldiers on guard, the tapster contrived to escape from the
fort on the morrow, and repaired forthwith to the patroon's
house. Hither De Decker followed and ordered him to re-
turn to the fort, but he refused. The other tapsters now
made common cause with the fugitive, and arming them-
selves, remained together to protect each other from the
emissaries of the law. The vice director, esteeming it an
absurdity to suffer an asylum for fugitives from justice to
exist in the very centre of his jurisdiction was preparing to
execute his orders by force, whan John B. Van Rensselaer
pledged himself to repair to the Manhattans and arrange the
matter with the supreme authorities. To avoid bloodshed,
De Decker acquiesced in this proposal; but another order
arrived a few days afterwards, directing him to send down
1 Alb. JRec., iv, 233. A fragment of this little bell is still in pos-
session of one of the Dutch reformed churches at Albany. It bears
the inscription" Anno 1601."
40 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
the tavern-keepers forthwith. In obedience to these instruc-
tions, he proceeded with an armed posse to the houses of the
parties, where he again met Van Kensselaer and " his
associates." He summoned them, in the name of the di-
rector and council to surrender and accompany him to the
fort. " Whereupon they each answered. * There sits the Lord
he will answer for me/ " Van Rensselaer acquiesced herein,
and again bound himself to produce the tapsters when
required. De Decker ; finding it useless to continue, the
discussion, protested, and Mr. Van Rensselaer proceeded to
New Amsterdam. Here, on his arrival, he presented a
strong remonstrance against the course which the govern-
ment was pursuing. Their exactions, he insisted, were con-
trary to the sixth article of the charter. Instead of the
directors having any claim on the patroon, the contrary was
the fact. The company had guarantied to defend the colo-
nists against all violence, yet the latter had thrice come
forward, at great expense, to assist Fort Orange ; first, during
the war with the French savages secondly, in the trouble
with the English ; and lately during the unhappy misunder-
standing with the Indians around the Manhattans. When-
ever there was any prospect of trouble, they were the
first to appease the savages by presents. The losses which
the latter inflicted on the colonie, by the killing of cows,
horses, and other cattle, amounted annually to several thou-
sand guilders; and, in addition, the patroon and codirectors
maintained, at their own expense, all the ministers and
officers of the colonie. In the face of these facts, it was
manifestly unjust to seize now on the excise, and to insist
on the payment, also, of tenths. However, to prevent all
further disturbance, he was willing to permit the payment
of the former, under protest, if the director and council
pledged themselves to refund the money, should a final
decision be given against them by impartial judges, either
here or in Holland.
This remonstrance was, at once T pronounced " frivolous"
by the director- general and council, -whose " high office and
quality permit them not to stoop so low as to enter the lists
with their subjects and vassals, much less to answer their
frivolous and unfounded protests with a pusillanimous diffi-
dence." Their duty was rather " to correct such absurd
Colony of Eensselaerswyck. 41
assertions, and to punish the offenders." "Wherefore, as a
public example, the protestor was fined twenty guilders.
Having thus, as they considered, vindicated their dignity,
Van Rensselaer was informed that his colonists were bound
equally with other settlers in the province to contribute to
the public burthens, not only by the very nature of civilized
government, but by Art. xvm, of the charter of 1629 ; and
this they ought to do, without suspecting any infraction on.
their privileges or jurisdiction. The excise due from this
colonie which amounted by estimate, to fifteen hundred guil-
ders, must therefore be paid, together with all damages which
may have accrued by the delay. The tavern-keepers must,
moreover, submit to the guaging of their stock as often as
the same may be required } and as John Baptist Van Rens-
selaer was, himself, the original cause that the excise is re-
sisted, he was called on to give a bond of three thousand
guilders, for the personal appearance of the " contumacious
tavern-keepers;" otherwise he was to remain at the Man-
hattans under civil arrest.
The director and council also insisted that the colonie
was obliged to pay the tithes. If Mr. Van Rensselaer
would agree with some of his colonists on a round sum, in
lieu of these, it would be accepted until instructions should
be received from Holland ; if the directors or arbitrators
should decide afterwards that the colonie was not subject to
tenths, the amount paid should be reimbursed. The
assertions that the colonists assisted the company in its diffi-
culties ',' were made, but not proved." It is true they
promised to assist in putting Fort Orange in a state of
repair, at the time of the troubles with the English ; but it
was not less true, that after having given three or four days 7
labor, " they left us to shift for ourselves." The director
and council were entirely ignorant of being under any
obligations to them " during the late troubles." This rejoin-
der was followed by a proclamation, ordering .all the towns
and colonies in the province not to remove their crops before
they settled with the company's commissaries for the tenths.
A copy of this placard was sent for publication to the
authorities of Rensselaerswyck, but they refused to publish it.
It was during this misunderstanding that the " contuma-
cious tapsters," having been guarantied by the director and
42 Colony of Jtensselaerswyck.
court of the colonie against damage, arrived at the Manhat-
tans to answer for their conduct. The plea of residence in
the colonie and of acting according to superior orders
availed them nothing. One was fined two hundred pounds,
failing payment of which he was to be banished; the
other was mulcted eight hundred guilders. The pa-
troon subsequently made good both these fines. The dif-
ficulties about the tenths were not settled until July, 1658,
when the colonie compounded for them by the yearly pay-
ment of three hundred schepels of wheat. Commissary De
Decker being now about to return to Holland, resigned his
office, and Johannes La Montague, hitherto one of the coun-
cil, was commissioned vice director of Fort Orange, Johan-
nes Provoost became secretary and Ludovicus Cobbes court
messenger. 1 The vice-director's house at this period was
an old building within the fort, twenty-six feet nine inches
long, Rhineland measure; two stories high, constructed of
boards one inch thick, with a roof in the form of a pa-
vilion," covered with old shingles. Under this house was
a cellar " as long as the house was broad." The first floor
was divided into two compartments. At the north end was a
chamber, sixteen or seventeen feet broad ; at the south end
an entry ten feet wide. The space on the second floor was
one undivided room, directly under the roof, without a chim-
ney, to which access was had by a straight ladder, through
a trap-door. Here the magistrates administered justice : this
was the first court-house of the present city of Albany.
Fort Orange was, until the year 1661, the frontier town
on the northern and western borders of the province. Beyond
that all was " the far west/' little known and less explored,
wholly abandoned to the wild savage or wilder beasts of
prey. But civilization, that giant before whom beasts and
savages were alike fated to disappear, and who was never to
pause until he bathed his feet in the waters of the Pacific,
was now about to take another step westward. The proxi-
mity of the whites had exhausted the resources of the Indians
*ji, Rec., x, 68; xi, 409, 410, 415-430, 445-447, 466, 470, 488-
499;xiii, 72 ; 221-233 ; xviii, 83; Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts;
Fort Orange Rec. The number of furs exported this year from Fort
Orange and vicinity, amounted to 34,840 beaver and 300 otter skins
Colony of Eensselaerswyck. 43
in the neighbourhood of Beverwyck. Furs were becoming
scarce, and the soil was no longer an object of value. The
natives were, therefore, inclined to sell for a trifle the Great
Flatt, west of the fort, " towards the interior of the country."
Six or eight families were desirous to move thither, and
the prospect of obtaining additional settlers was favorable, for
at Beverwyck the common people were much impoverished
and unable to meet their wants, " from one loaf to another." L
Under these circumstances, Arent van Curler applied, on be-
half of himself and others, to the director-general for per-
mission to purchase the land in question. The requisite
authority was duly granted,- but had not been yet received
at Fort Orange when a freshet laid the country for miles
around under water. This was followed, a few days after,
by an inundation, much greater than the first, which forced
the inhabitants to quit their dwellings and fly with their
cattle for safety to the woods on the adjoining hills. Incal-
culable damage was caused by these irruptions. The wheat
and other grain were all prostrated, and had to be cut mostly
for fodder, affording scarcely seed sufficient for the next
spring. 3 This visitation necessarily caused the postpone-
ment of the purchase of the great Flatt until the ensuing
month, when the following deed was obtained from the
Indian owners :
1 Arent van Curler's letter to Director Stuyvesant, dated Rensse-
laerswyck, 18th June, 1661, in Fort Orange Rec., also in Alb. Rec.,
xix, 179. Van der Kemp's translation, in the latter, is in many
essential parts incorrect.
2 Alb. Rec., xix, 180. Arent van Curler's letter having been read,
together with the authority to purchase the same, and to make a
concentration thereupon, the director and council assented there-
unto, " provided that the said lands, on being purchased from the
native proprietors, be, as usual, transferred to the director-general
and council aforesaid as representatives of the Lords Directors of the
Privileged West India Company ; that, what ever the petitioners
shall pay for the aforesaid lands to the original proprietors, shall,
in due time, be returned to them, or be discounted to them against
the tenths.
3 Petition in Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts of the colonists of Rens-
selaerswyck to the director and commissaries of that colonie,
for a remission of rent and tenths for this year, dated September
15th, 1661. Jeremias van Rensselaer's letter to his mother, 8th
October, 1661, in Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts, Alb. Rec., vi, 345,
44 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
" Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, appointed
by the Director general and council of New Netherland
Vice Director and Commissary in the service of the privi-
leged West India Company, at Fort Orange and the town
of Beverwyck, certain chiefs of the Mohawk country, by
name Cantuquo, Sonareetsie, Aiadane, Sodrachdrasse, pro-
prietors of a certain parcel of land, called in Dutch the
Groote Vlacht (Great Flatte), lying behind Fort Orange
between the same and the Mohawk country, which they
declare to have ceded and transported, as they hereby cede
and transport, in real and actual possession and property,
unto Sieur Arent van Corlear, the said parcel of land or
Great Flatt, called, in Indian, Schonowe, as it is bounded
in its contents and circumference, with its trees and streams,
for a certain number of cargoes, wherein the cedants ac-
knowledge to have received satisfaction ; renouncing, now
and for ever, all property and claim which they hitherto
have had in the aforesaid parcel of land, promising to free
the same from all claims which other Indians might have
thereon. Done in Fort Orange the 27th July, anno 1661,
in presence of Martin Morris and William Montagne,
thereunto requested, in presence of me La Montugne, Vice
Director and Commissary over the Fortress Orange. " l
A grant under the provincial seal was issued in the
following year, but the land was not surveyed or di-
vided until 1664. ' 2 The inhabitants of Fort Orange and
its neighborhood were most anxious to retain the fur mono-
poly, and had sufficient influence with the director and
council to induce them to order that the settlers of Schaen-
hechstede (as the new village came to be called) should
confine themselves exclusively to agriculture, and abstain
from all trade with the Indians. This, in fact, was the con-
dition on which they were allowed to remove thither; " for
it would never have been permitted to settle this plain
except on the assurance that no object was in view but
agriculture, because of the dangers which would accrue if,
Orange Bee., 1654-1680. The mark of Cantuquo to the
above instrument was a bear ; of Aiadane, a turtle ; of Sonareetsie
a wolf ; denoting the tribe or family to which each belonged.
9 Alb. Rec., xxi, 137.
Colony of Renssdaerswyck. 45
at such a distant place, any trade with the savages was
allowed/' 1 Such a restriction was easily evaded at this
" distant" outpost, and it soon -came to be known that some
of the settlers sold intoxicating liquors to the natives.
When the application for the survey came before the coun-
cil, Jacques Cortelyou was sent thither, but with instruc-
tions not to survey any man's land who might refuse to sign
the following obligation :
"We the undersigned inhabitants on the Flatt named
, hereby promise that we shall not carry on, or allow
to be carried on, at the aforesaid Flatt, or thereabout, any
the least handeling (traffic), however it may be called, with
any Indians, under what pretext the same may be, directly
or indirectly, on pain of paying, if we, or any of us, happen
to violate this our promise, a fine, without any opposition,
for the first offence, of fifty beavers: for the second, one
hundred; and for the third, forfeiture of our acquired and
obtained lands on the aforesaid Flatt."' 2
When this resolution was communicated to the parties
interested, it excited much discontent. They avowed their
loyalty, and willingness to pay the duties rightfully belong-
ing to the company, and not to do anything in violation of
the laws and placards of the province. They hoped that
they should not be treated less liberally than others. They
had purchased their lands with their own moneys, erected
buildings, stocked their farms; now should all this be in
vain, they would be ruined. They therefore requested that
the surveyor might be allowed to proceed, "otherwise they
should be necessitated to help themselves as best they
could." 3
Accompanying this remonstrance was a private letter from
Van Curler to the director-general. On his recommenda-
1 Alb. Rec., XXT, 139.
2 Pampieren raekende Schaenhechtady in Albany County
Clerk's office, 1680-1685 ; 297-301.
8 Signed, A. van Curler, Fillip Hendricksen, Sander Leendertsen
Glen, Symon Volcertsen, Pieter Soghmaekelyk, Teunis Cornelissen,
Marte Cornelise, William Teller, Bastiaen De Winter, attorney for
Catalyn widow of Arent Andries de Voss, Pieter Jacobse Borsboom,
Pieter Danielse van Olinda, Jan Barentse Wemp, Jacques Cornelise,
These were the first settlers of the locality in question.
46 Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
tion the settlers had consented to proceed with their plough-
ing and planting, though, at first, they seemed unwilling to
do so. He trusted that the place would he surveyed, though
it was his impression that the director and council were
acting on the suggestion of some envious persons who sought
their own profit at the expense of the cultivation of the
puhlic lands, and that under a pretended fear that" a little
heaver " should be bought there, and they have thereby so
much less. It seemed to him that they who followed
agriculture ought not to be worse treated than those who
pursue commerce. It would be lamentable were the settlers
and their posterity to remain forever under this ban of
slavery, and be excluded from bartering either bread, milk,
or the produce of their farms for a beaver, so as to be able
to purchase some covering for their bodies and dwellings.
No person would imagine that trade could be carried on with
the Indians at Schaenhechtady as favorably as at Fort
Orange Goods must be brought from the latter place thither,
and therefore must needs sell higher. To obviate all diffi-
culty, the settlers were willing to pledge themselves not to
sell any brandy to the Indians, on pain of confiscation of
their property. l
This appeal in favor of unshackled commerce was of no
avail. Nothing but danger would accrue if the inhabitants
were to continue conveying merchandise, as they had al-
ready begun to do, on wagons and horses, to the savages.
" Already the Indians had attacked wagons, fired on those
who conducted them, and attempted to violate females
journeying thither, as well in the concentration as on the
road." To prevent a repetition of these insolences, no
goods were to be carried to Schaenhechtady for the future,
and the schout of Fort Orange was ordered to proceed forth-
with to the new settlement, take an inventory of all the
goods introduced there in violation of the act of concession,
and have the same removed, " as it was not the intention to
build up one place for the purpose of bringing ruin on
another yea, on the whole country/'' 2 Thus things re-
mained for nearly another year. It was not until May,
1 Pampieren raekende Schaenhechtady.
Colony of Rensselaer swyck. 47
1664, that the surveyor was allowed " to lay out the lands of
Schaenhechtede." 1 In legal and municipal affairs it re-
mained dependent on the court at Fort Orange.
Jeremias Van Rensselaer succeeded his brother Jan Bap-
tist, as director of the colonie in 1658, and administered its
affairs for sixteen years with great prudence and discretion.
He was much respected by the French, and exercised an
influence over the Indians surpassed only by that of Van
Curler. On the change of government and the breaking
out of the war, considerable difficulty was experienced in
obtaining a patent for the manor from the Duke of York.
To obviate this, some persons of influence advised him to
take out one in his own name, he being qualified, as a Bri-
tish subject, to hold real estate. To his great honor, it is
recorded that he rejected the offer, for he was. only coheir,
and could not thus .defraud his brothers and sisters. He
was a man of great industry, and communicated to Holland
an account of various occurrences in this country, under
the name of the New Netherland Mercury. His corre-
spondence, from 1656 to his death, still in good preserva-
tion, affords a valuable and interesting commentary on
private and public affairs, and contains a relation of facts
and incidents which otherwise would be irreparably lost.
He died on the 12th October, 1684, and was followed to the
grave by a large concourse of mourners. 2
1 Alb. Rec., xxii, 169, 234.
2 His wife died 29th January, 1689, N. S., in the 44th year of her
age, leaving five children, the eldest of whom, Kiliaen, was the
first lord of the manor of Rensselaerswyck, which he represented
in the Provincial Assembly from 1691 to 1703, when he was called
to the Council. In the following year he conveyed Claverack, or
"the lower manor," as is was called, with the Cralo estate at
Greenbush, to his younger brother Hendrik. From these two pro-
ceed the numerous members of this wide-spread family in this
country. Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer survived his brother four
years, having deceased 18th October, 1678 ; Dom. Nicolaus Van
Rensselaer died the month following.
48 Description of Albany, and its Manners.
DESCRIPTION OF ALBANY AND MANNERS OF
THE INHABITANTS.
[From Mrs. Grant's Memoirs of an American Lady.]
1764.
The city of Albany stretched along the banks of the
Hudson ; one very wide and long street lay parallel to the
river, the intermediate space between it and the shore being
occupied by gardens. A small but steep hill arose above
the centre of the town, on which stood a fort, intended (but
very ill adapted) for the defence of the place, and of the
neighboring country. From the foot of this hill, another
street was built, sloping pretty rapidly down till it joined
the one before mentioned that ran along the river. This
street was still wider than the other; it was only paved on
each side, the middle being occupied by public edifices.
These consisted of a market-place, or guard-house, a town
hall, and the English and Dutch churches. The English
church, belonging to the Episcopal persuasion, and in the
diocese of the bishop of London, stood at the foot of the
the hill, at the upper end of the street. The Dutch church
was situated at the bottom of the descent where the street
terminated ; two irregular streets, not so broad, but equally
long, ran parallel to those, and a few even ones opened
between them. The town, in proportion to its population,
occupied a great space of ground. This city, in short, was
a kind of semi-rural establishment; every house had its
garden, well, and a little green behind; before every door a
tree was planted, rendered interesting by being coeval with
some beloved member of the family ; many of their trees
were of a prodigious size and extraordinary beauty, but
without regularity, every one planting the kind that best
pleased him, or which he thought would afford the most
agreeable shade to the open portico at his door, which was sur-
rounded by seats, and ascended by a few steps. It was in
these that each domestic group was seated in summer evenings
to enjoy the balmy twilight, or the serenely clear moonlight.
Q
iP
3 O
^j HH
II
5
i
Description of Albany, and its Manners. 49
Each family bad a cow, fed in the common pasture at the end
of the town. In the evening the herd returned all together,
of their own accord, with their tinkling bells hung at their
necks, along the wide and grassy street, to their wonted
sheltering trees, to be milked at their masters' doors. No-
thing could be more pleasing to a simple and benevolent
mind than to see thus at one view, all the inhabitants of a
town, which contains not one very rich or very poor, very-
knowing or very ignorant, very rude or very polished, indi-
vidual; to see all these children of nature enjoying in easy
indolence, or social intercourse,
" The cool, fragrant, and the dusky hour,"
clothed in the plainest habits and with minds as undisguised
and artless. These primitive beings were dispersed in
porches, grouped according to similarity of years and inclina-
tions. At one door were young matrons, at another the
elders of the people, at a third the youths and maidens,
gayly chatting or singing together, while the children played
round the trees, or waited by the cows, for the chief ingre-
dient of their frugal supper, which they generally ate sitting
on the steps in the open air. This picture, so familiar to
my imagination, has led me away from my purpose, which
was to describe the rural economy, and modes of living in
this patriarchal city.
At one end of the town, as I observed before, was a common
pasture where all the cattle belonging to the inhabitants
grazed together. A never-failing instinct guided each home
to her master's door in the evening, where, being treated
with a few vegetables and a little fat, which is indispensably
necessary for cattle in this country, they patiently waited the
night; and after being milked in the morning, they went
off in slow and regular procession to the pasture. At the
other end of the town was a fertile plain along the river,
three miles in length, and near a mile broad. This was all
divided into lots, where every inhabitant raised Indian corn
sufficient for the food of two or three slaves (the greatest
number that each family ever possessed), and for his horses,
pigs, and poultry } their flour and other grain they purchased
from farmers in the vicinity. Above the town, a long stretch
Annals, ii. 5
50 Description of Albany, and its Manners.
to the westward was occupied first by sandy hills, on which
grew bilberries of uncommon size and flavor, in prodigious
quantities ; beyond, rise heights of a poor hungry soil, thinly
covered with stunted pines, or dwarf oak. Yet in this com-
paratively barren tract there were several wild and pictur-
esque spots, where small brooks, running in deep and rich bot-
toms, nourished on their banks every vegetable beauty;
there some,of the most industrious early settlers had cleared
the luxuriant wood from these charming glens, and built neat
cottages for their slaves, surrounded with little gardens and
orchards, sheltered from every blast, wildly picturesque,
and richly productive. Those small sequestered vales had
an attraction that I know not how to describe, and which
probably resulted from the air of deep repose that reigned
there, and the strong contrast which they exhibited to the
surrounding sterility. One of these was in my time inha-
bited by a hermit. He was a Frenchman, and did not seem
to inspire much veneration among the Albanians. They
imagined, or had heard, that he retired to that solitude in
remorse for some fatal duel in which he had been engaged ;
and considered him as an idolater because he had an image
of the virgin in his hut. I think he retired to Canada at
last ; but I remember being ready to worship him for the
sanctity with which my imagination invested him, and being
cruelly disappointed because I was not permitted to visit him.
These cottages were in summer occupied by some of the
negroes, who cultivated the grounds about them, and served
as a place of joyful liberty to the children of the family on
holidays, and as a nursery for the young negroes, whom it
was the custom to rear very tenderly, and instruct very
carefully.
In the society I am describing, even the dark aspect of
slavery was softened into a smile. And I must, injustice
to the best possible masters, say that a great deal of that
tranquillity and comfort, to call it by no higher name, which
distinguished this society from all others, was owing to the
relation between master and servant being better understood
here than in any other place- Let me not be detested as au
advocate for slavery, when I say that I think I have never
seen people so happy in servitude as the domestics of the
Albanians. One reason was, (for I do not now speak of the
Description of Albany, and its Manners. 51
virtues of their masters,) that each family had few of them,
and that there were no field negroes. They would remind
one of Abraham's servants, who were all born in the
house ; this was exactly their case. They were baptized
too, and shared the same religious instruction with the child-
ren of the family ; and, for the first years, there was little
or no difference with regard to food or clothing between
their children and those of their masters.
When a negro woman's child attained the age of three
years, it was solemnly presented, the first New Year's day
following, to a son or daughter, or other young relative of
the family who was of the same sex with the child so pre-
sented. The child to whom the young negro was given,
immediately presented it with some piece of money and a
pair of shoes ; and from that day the strongest attachment
grew between the domestic and the destined owner. I have
nowhere met with instances of friendship more tender and
generous than that which here subsisted between the slaves
and their masters and mistresses. Extraordinary proofs
of them have been often given in the course of hunting or
of Indian trading ; when a young man and his slave have
gone to the trackless woods together, in the case of fits of
the ague, loss of a canoe, and other casualties happening
near hostile Indians. The slave has been known, at the
imminent risk of his life, to carry his disabled master through
unfrequented wilds, with labor and fidelity scarce credible ;
and the master has been equally tender on similar occasions
of the humble friend who stuck closer than a brother ; who
was baptized with the same baptism, nurtured under the same
roof, and often rocked in the same cradle with himself.
These gifts of domestics to the younger members of the
family were not irrevocable; yet they were very rarely with-
drawn. If the kitchen family did not increase in propor-
tion to that of the master, young children were purchased
from some family where they abounded, to furnish those at-
tached servants to the rising progeny. They were never sold
without consulting their mother, who, if expert and saga-
cious, had a great deal to say in the family, and would not
allow her child to go into any family with whose domestics
she was not acquainted. These negro-women piqued
themselves on teaching their children to be excellent ser-
52 Description of Albany, and its Manners.
vants, well knowing servitude to be their lot for life, and
that it could only be sweetened by making themselves par-
ticularly useful, and excelling in their department. If they
did their work well, it is astonishing, when I recollect it,
what liberty of speech was allowed to those active and pru-
dent mothers. They would chide, reprove, and expostulate
in a manner that we would not endure from our hired ser-
vants ; and sometimes exert fully as much authority over
the children of the family as the parents, conscious that
they were entirely in their power. They did not crush free-
dom of speech and opinion in those by whom they knew
they were beloved, and who watched with incessant care over
their interest and comfort. Affectionate and faithful as these
home-bred servants were in general, there were some in-
stances (but very few ) of those who, through levity of
mind, or a love of liquor or finery, betrayed their trust, or
habitually neglected their duty. In these cases, after every
means had been used to reform them, no severe punish-
ments were inflicted at home. But the terrible sentence
which they dreaded worse than death, was past they
were sold to Jamaica. The necessity of doing this was be-
wailed by the whole family as a most dreadful calamity, and
the culprit was carefully watched on his way to New York,
lest he should evade the sentence by self-destruction.
One must have lived among those placid and humane
people to be sensible that servitude, hopeless, endless ser-
vitude, could exist with so little servility and fear on the
one side, and so little harshness or even sternness of autho-
rity in the other. In Europe, the footing on which service
is placed in consequence of the corruptions of society,
hardens the heart, destroys confidence, and embitters life.
The deceit and venality of servants not absolutely dishonest,
puts it out of one's power to love or trust them. And if in
hopes of having people attached to us, who will neither
betray our confidence, nor corrupt our children, we are
at pains to rear them from childhood, and give them a reli-
gious and moral education ; after all our labor, others of
their own class seduce them away to those who can afford to
pay higher for their services. This is not the case in a
few remote districts, where surrounding mountains seem to
exclude the contagion of the world, some traces of fidelity
Description of Albany, and its Manners. 53
and affection among domestics still remain. But it must be
remarked that, in those very districts, it is usual to treat
inferiors with courtesy and kindness, and to consider those
domestics who marry out of the family as holding a kind of
relation to it, and still claiming protection. In short, the
corruption of that class of people is, doubtless, to be attri-
buted to the example of their superiors. But how severely
are those superiors punished ? Why this general indiffer-
ence about home ; why are the household gods, why is the
sacred hearth so wantonly abandoned ? Alas ! the charm
of home is destroyed, since our children, educated in distant
seminaries, are strangers in the paternal mansion ; and our
servants, like mere machines, move on their mercenary
track without feeling or exciting one kind or generous sen-
timent. Home, thus despoiled of all its charms, is no longer
the scene of any enjoyments but such as wealth can purchase.
At the same time we feel there a nameless cold privation,
and conscious that money can coin the same enjoyments
with more variety elsewhere. We substitute these futile
and evanescent pleasures for that perennial spring of calm
satisfaction, " without overflowing full," which is fed by
the exercise of the kindly affections, and soon indeed must
those stagnate where there are not proper objects to excite
them. I have been forced into this painful digression by
unavoidable comparisons. To return :
Amidst all this mild and really tender indulgence to their
negroes, these colonists had not the smallest scruple of
conscience with regard to the right by which they held them
in subjection. Had that been the case, their singular hu-
manity would have been incompatible with continued injustice.
But the truth is, that of law the generality of those people
knew little; and of philosophy, nothing at all. They sought
their code of morality in the Bible, and there imagined they
found this hapless race condemned to perpetual slavery ; and
thought nothing remained for them but to lighten the chains
of their fellow Christians, after having made them such. This
I neither "extenuate," nor " set down in malice," but merely
record the fact. At the same time it is but justice to record,
also, a singular instance of moral delicacy distinguishing
this settlement from every other in the like circumstances;
though, from their simple an-d kindly mode of life, they
54 Description of Albany, and its Manners.
were from infancy in habits of familiarity with these
humble friends, yet being early taught that nature had
placed between them a barrier, which it was in a high de-
gree criminal and disgraceful to pass, they considered a
mixture of such distinct races with abhorrence, as a violation
of her laws. This greatly conduced to the preservation of
family happiness and concord. An ambiguous race, which
the law does not acknowledge, and who (if they have any
moral sense, must be as much ashamed of their parents as
these last are of them) are certainly a dangerous, because
degraded part of the community. How much more so must
be those unfortunate beings who stand in the predicament of
the bat in the fable, whom both birds and beasts disowned?
I am sorry to say that the progress of the British army,
when it arrived, might be traced by a spurious and ambigu-
ous race of this kind. But of a mulatto born before their
arrival, I only remember a^ single instance; and from the
regret and wonder it occasioned, considered it as singular.
Colonel Schuyler, of whom I speak, had a relation so
weak and defective in capacity, that he never was intrusted
with any thing of his own, and lived an idle batchelor
about the family. In process of time, a favorite negro-
woman, to the great offence and scandal of the family, bore
a child to him, whose color gave testimony to the relation.
The boy was carefully educated; and when he grew up,
a farm was allotted to him well stocked and fertile, but
II in depth of woods embraced," about two miles back from
the family seat. A destitute white woman, who had some-
how wandered from the older.colonies, was induced to marry
him ; and all the branches of the family thought it incum-
bent on them, now and then, to pay a quiet visit to Chalk,
(for so, for some unknown reason, they always called him.)
I have been in Chalk's house myself, and a most comfortable
abode it was ; but I considered him as a mysterious and
anomalous being.
I have dwelt the longer on this singular instance of slavery ,
existing devoid of its attendant horrors, because the fidelity
and affection resulting from a bond of union so early formed
between master and servant contributed so very much to
the safety of individuals, as well as to the general comfort
of society.
Return of Abercrombie's Army. 55
RETURN OF ABERCROMBIE'S ARMY.
After the defeat of the British under Abercrombie before
Ticonderoga, in 1758, the corpse of the gallant and lamented
Lord Howe was escorted to Albany by Philip Schuyler. 1
In a few days the wounded of this proud but humbled army,
were brought down, and received by the Schuylers at their
farm residence, the Flats, as men and brethren. The barn
was fitted up as a hospital, and a part of the house allotted
to the surgeon, among whose patients was the afterward
notorious Charles Lee, who was a captain in the forty-fourth
regiment. On the advance of the army from Albany by
the way of the Flats, Lee commanded one of the first de-
tachments in the line of march ; and although he neglected
to bring the customary warrants for impressing cattle and
other necessaries, he, however, says Mrs. Grant, seized
every thing he wanted wherever he could most readily find
it, as if he were in a conquered country ; and not content
with this violence, poured forth a volley of execrations on
those who presumed to question his right of appropriation.
Even Mrs. Schuyler was not spared. On his return he
shared the hospitalities of the mansion,- and in the language
of Mrs. Grant, " was received and treated as a child." Lee
felt and acknowledged the resistless force of such generous
humanity. He swore, in his vehement manner, he was
sure there was a place reserved in heaven for Madam
Schuyler, though no other woman should be there.
1 For an authenticated account of the final destiny of the remains
of Lord Howe, see Historical Collections of Albany, I, 390, 391.
2 The house of Madame Schuyler was soon after this event
burned, but was rebuilt after her death, and a portion of the old
wall is still seen in the present edifice.
56 Charter of the City of Albany.
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ALBANY.
This instrument was executed by Governor Thomas Don-
gan, in 1686. In the Governor's report on the province,
made in the following year to the committee of trade, he
" The town of Albany lyes within the Ranslaers colony,
and to say truth the Ranslaers had the right to it for it was
they settled the place, and upon a petition of one of them
to our present King, about Albany, the petitioner was re-
ferred to his Majesty's council at law, who upon a perusal
of the Ranslaers papers, made their return that it was their
opinion that it did belong to them ; upon which there was
an order sent over to Sir Edmond Andros, that the Rans-
laers should be put in possession of Albany, and that
every house should pay some two beavers, some more some
less, according to their dimensions, per annum, for thirty
years, and afterwards the Ranslaers to put what rent upon
them they could agree for. What reason Sir Edmund
Andros has given for not putting these orders in execution
I know not. The Ranslaers came and brought me the same
orders which I thought not convenient to execute, judgeing
it not for his Majesty's interest that the second town of the
Goverment and which brings his Majesty soe great a reve-
nue should bee in the hands of any particular men. The
town of itself is upon a barren saody spot of land, and
the inhabitants live wholly upon trade with the Indians.
By the meanes of Mr. James Graham, Judge Palmer and
Mr. Cortlandt, that have great influence on that people, I
got the Ranslaers to release their pretence to the town and
sixteen miles into the country for commons to the King,
with liberty to cut firewood within the colony for one and
twenty years. After I had obtained this release of the
Ranslaers I passed the patent for Albany."
The citizens commissioned Peter Schuyler and Roberr
Livingston to go to New York and receive the Charter
from the hands of the Governor. The original document
Charter of the City of Albany. 57
is on file in the Chamberlain's office, dated July 22, 1686, as
is also a copy of it printed by Hugh Gaine, in 1771, from the
latter of which we have copied. 1
Thomas Dongan, lieutenant and governor of the province of New
York, and dependencies in America, under his most sacred
majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, of England,
Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, etc.,
and supreme lord and proprietor of the said province of New
York and its dependencies, to all persons to whom these presents
shall or may come, or in any wise concern, sendeth greeting :
Whereas the town of Albany is an ancient town within
the said province, and the inhabitants of the said town have
held, used and enjoyed, as well within the same as elsewhere
within the said province, divers and sundry rights, liberties,
privileges, franchises, free customs, preeminences, advantages,
jurisdictions, emoluments, and immunities as well by pre-
scription, as by grants, confirmations and proclamations, not
only by divers governors and commanders-in-chief in the said
province, under his said majesty, but also of several governors,
generals and commanders-in-chief of the Nether-Dutch Na-
tion, whilst the same was or has been under their power and
subjection. And whereas divers lands tenements and heredi-
taments, jurisdictions, liberties, immunities 'and privileges
have heretofore been given and granted to the inhabitants
of the said town, sometimes by the name of commissaries
of the town of Beverwyck ; sometimes by the name of the
commissaries of the town of Albany; sometimes by the name
of schepenen of Williamstadt; and sometimes by the name of
justices of the peace fer the town of Albany; and by divers
other names, as by their several grants, writings, records
and minutes amongst other things may more fully appear.
And whereas the inhabitants of the said town have erected-
built, and appropriated at their own proper cost and charges,
several public buildings, accommodations, and conveniencies
for the said town, as also certain pieces or parcels of ground
for the use of the same, that is to say, the town-hall, or stadt-
1 The Council Minutes of July 29, 1723, speak of a printed Charter
(see vol. YIII, 288). It seems to have been first printed in 1706.
(Annals, v, 134, 139).
58 Charter of the City of Albany.
house, with the ground thereunto belonging ; the church or
meeting place, with the ground about the same ; the burial
place, adjoining to the palisades at the south east end of
the town ; the watch house and ground thereunto belonging ;
a certain piece or parcel of land, commonly called or kno\*n
by the name of the Pasture, situate, lying and being to the
southward of the said town, near the place where the old fort
stood, and extending along Hudson river, till it comes over
againstthe most northerly point of the island, commonly called
Martin Geritsen's island, having to the east Hudson's river,
to the south the manor of Rensselaerwyck, to the west the
highway leading to the town, the Pasture late in the tenure
and occupation of Martin Gerritsen, and the Pasture late in
the tenure and occupation of Casper Jacobse, to the north
the several pastures late in the tenure and occupation of
Robert Sanders, Myndert Harmense, and Evert Wendel, and
the several gardens late in the tenures and occupation of
Dirk Wessels, Killian Van Rensselaer and Abraham Staats,
with their and every of their appurtenances ; and also have
established and settled one Ferry from the said town to
Greenbush, situate on the other side of Hudson's river, for
the accommodation and conveniency of passengers, the said
citizens and travellers. And whereas several the inhabit-
ants of the town, do hold from and under his most sacred
majesty respectively, as well by several respective patents,
grants and conveyances, made and granted by the late gover-
nors and commanders-in-chief of the said province, as other-
wise, several and respective messuages, lands, tenements,
and hereditaments, in the town of Albany aforesaid, and
that the said inhabitants of the said town of Albany and
their heirs and assigns respectively, may hold, exercise, and
enjoy, not only such and the same liberties, privileges,
franchises, rights, royalties, free customs, jurisdictions and
immunities, as they anciently have had, held, used and
enjoyed, but also such public buildings, accommodations
conveniencies, messuages, lands, tenements and heredita-
ments in the said town of Albany, which as aforesaid, have
been by the inhabitants erected and built, or which have as
aforesaid been held, enjoyed, granted, and conveyed unto
them, or any of them respectively.
Charter of the City of Albany. 59
Know ye therefore, that I the said Thomas Dongan, by
virtue of the commission and authority unto me given, and
power in me presiding, at the humble petition of the justices
of the peace of the said town of Albany, and for divers other
good causes and considerations me thereunto moving, have
given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents,
for and on behalf of his most sacred majesty aforesaid, his
heirs and successors, do give, grant, ratify, and confirm
unto the said inhabitants of the said town, hereinafter
agreed to be called by the name or names of the Mayor,
Alderman, and Commonalty of the City of Albany, all and
every such and the same liberties, privileges, franchises,
rights, royalties, free customs, jurisdictions, and immunities,
which they have anciently had, held and enjoyed, provided
always, that none of the said liberties, privileges, franchises,
rights, free customs, jurisdictions, or immunities, be inconsis-
tent with, or repugnant to, the laws of His Majesty's King-
dom of England, or other the laws of the general assembly
of this province ; and the aforesaid public buildings, accom-
modations and conveniences, pieces or parcels of ground
in the said town, that is to say, the said town hall or stadt
house, with the ground thereunto belonging ; the said church
or meeting place, with the ground about the same ; the said
burying place, the watch house, and ground thereto belong-
ing; the said pasture and the aforementioned ferry, with
their and every of their rights, members, and appurtenances,
together with all the profits, benefits and advantages that
shall or may accrue or arise at all times hereafter, for anchor-
age or wharfage in the harbor, port or wharf of the said
city, with all and singular the rents, issues, profits, gains
and advantages which shall or may arise, grow or accrue by
the said town-hall or stadt-house, and the ground thereunto
belonging ; church or meeting-place, with the ground about
the same ; buryirig-place, watch-house, pasture, ferry, and
other the above mentioned premises, or any of them, and
also all and every the streets, lanes, highways and alleys,
within the said city, for the public use and service of the
said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city, and
of the inhabitants of the places adjacent, and travellers
there ; together with full power, licence and authority to
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty, and their sue-
60 Charter of the City of Albany.
cessors for ever, to establish, appoint, order, and direct the
establishing, making, la'ying-out, ordering, amending, and re-
pairing of all streets, lanes, alleys, highways and bridges,
water courses and ferries in and throughout the said city,
or leading to the same, necessary, needful and convenient
for the inhabitants of the said city, and the parts adjacent,
and for travellers there : Provided always, that the said
license, so as above granted for the establishing, making,
and laying out streets, lanes, alleys, highways, ferries and
bridges, be not extended or construed to extend, to the
taking away of any person or persons right or property,
without his or their consent, or by some known law of the
said province. And for the consideration aforesaid, I do
likewise give, grant, ratify, and confirm unto all and every
the respective inhabitants of the said city of Albany, and
their several and respective heirs and assigns, all and every
the several respective messuages, lands, tenements, and
hereditaments situate, lying and being in the said city, to
severally and respectively granted, conveyed, and confirmed
by any the late governors, lieutenants, or commanders in
chief of the said province, or by the commissaries or justices
of the peace, or other magistrates of Albany aforesaid, or
otherwise howsoever ; to hold to their several and respective
heirs and assigns forever.
. And I do by these presents, give and grant to the said
mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the said city of Albany,
all the waste, vacant, unpatented and unappropriated land,
lying and being within the said city of Albany, and the
precincts and liberties thereof, extending and reaching to the
low water mark, in, by, and through all parts of the said
city ; together with all rivers, rivulets, coves, creeks, ponds,
water courses, in the said city, not heretofore given or
granted, by any of the former governors, lieutenants, or
commanders-in-chief, under their, or some of their respective
hands and seals, or the seal of the province, to some re-
spective person or persons, late inhabitants of the said city,
or of other parts of the said province; and also the royalties
of fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, mines, minerals, and
other royalties and privileges, belonging or appertaining to
the city of Albany (gold and silver mines only excepted.)
Charter of the City of Albany. 61
And I do by these presents give, grant, and confirm unto
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city
of Albany, and their successors, forever, full and free
licence and liberty of fishing in Hudson's river, not only
within the limits of the said city, but without, even so far
northward and southward, as the river does extend itself,
within the said county of Albany, together with free liberty,
licence, and authority to and for the said mayor, aldermen,
and commonalty of the city of Albany aforesaid, and their
successors, at all time and times hereafter, for and during
the space of one and twenty years, from and after the fourth
day of November last past, to be accomplished and fully to
be compleat and ended, to cut down and carry away, out of
any part of the manor of Rensselaerwyck (provided it be not
within any fenced or enclosed land) such firewood and
timber, for building and fencing, as to them shall seem meet
and convenient.
And I do by these presents, grant unto the said mayor,
aldermen, and commonalty of the city of Albany, and their
successors for ever hereafter ; all such strays as shall be
taken within the limits, precincts, and bounds of the said
city, a
And I do by these presents, give and grant unto the
said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the city of Albany,
and their successors, full liberty and license at their plea-
sure, to purchase from the Indians, the quantity of five
hundred acres of low or meadow land, lying at a certain
place, called or known by the name of Schaahtecogue,
which quantity of five hundred acres, shall, and maylJl, in
what part of Schaahtecogue, or the land adjacent, as they
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty, of the city of
Albany, shall think most convenient.
And I do by these presents, give and grant unto the said
mayor, aldermen and commonalty, full power and license at
their pleasure, likewise to purchase from the Indians, the
quantity of one thousand acres of low or meadow land,
lying at a certain place, called or known by the name of
Tionnondoroge, which quantity of one thousand acres of low
or meadow land, shall and may be in what part of Tionondo-
roge, or the land adjacent on both sides of the river, as they
Annals ii. 6
62 Charter of the City of Albany.
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city
of Albany, shall think most convenient ; which said several
parcels of low or meadow land, I do hereby in behalf of
his said majesty, his heirs and successors give, grant and
confirm unto the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of
the city of Albany aforesaid, to be and remain to the use
and behoof of them, and their successors forever. To have
and to hold, all and singular the premises, to the said mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Albany, and
their successors forever, rendering and paying therefor unto
his most sacred majesty, his heirs, successors and assigns,
or to such officer or receiver, as shall be appointed to receive
the same, yearly, forever hereafter, the annual quit rent or
acknowledgement of one beaver skin, in Albany, on the
five and twentieth day of March, yearly forever.
And moreover, I will, and by these presents for his said
majesty, his heirs, and successors, grant, appoint, and de-
clare, that the said city of Albany, and the compass, pre-
cincts, and limits thereof, and the jurisdiction of the same,
shall from henceforth extend and reach itself, and shall
and may be able to reach forth and extend itself, as well in
length and in breadth, as in circuit, on the east by Hudson's
river, so far as low water mark ; to the south, by a line to
be drawn from the southermost end of the Pasture, at the
north end of the said island, called Martin Gerritsen's is-
land, running back into the woods, sixteen English miles
due. northwest, to a certain kill or creek, called the Sandkill,
on the north, to a line to be drawn from the post that was
set ^f Governor Stuyvesant, near Hudson's river, running
likewise northwest, sixteen English miles ; and on the west
by a straight line, to be drawn from the points of the said
south and north lines; wherefore by these presents, I do
firmly enjoin and command, for and on behalf of his said
majesty, his heirs, and successors that the aforesaid mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the city aforesaid, and their
successors, shall, and may freely and quietly have, hold,
use, and enjoy the aforesaid liberties, authorities, jurisdic-
tions, franchises, rights, royalties, privileges, advantages,
exemptions, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and premises
aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, according to the
tenure and effect of the aforesaid grants, patents, customs
Charter of the City of Albany. 63
and these letters patent of grant and confirmation, without
the let, hindrance, or impediment, of any of his majesty's
governors, lieutenants, or other officers whatsoever; and
that the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the city
aforesaid, and their successors, or any of them, in the free
use and enjoyment of the premises, or any of them, by the
lieutenants or governors of his said majesty, his heirs, and
successors, or by any of them, shall not be hindred, molested,
or in any wise disturbed.
And also I do for and on behalf of his most sacred
majesty, his heirs and successors, ordain and grant to the
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the city of Albany,
and their successors, by these presents, that for the better
government of the said city, liberties and precincts thereof,
there shall be forever hereafter, within the said city, a
mayor, recorder, town clerk, and six aldermen, and six
assistants, to be appointed, nominated, elected, chosen and
sworn, as herein after is particularly and respectively men-
tioned, who shall be forever hereafter, called, the mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the city of Albany, and that
there shall be forever, one chamberlain or treasurer, one
sheriff, one coroner, one clerk of the market, one high
constable, three sub-constables, and one marshal or sergeant
at mace, to be appointed, chosen, and sworn in manner
hereinafter mentioned.
And I do, by these presents, for and on the behalf of
his most sacred majesty, his heirs and successors, ordain,
declare, constitute, grant and appoint, that the mayor,
recorder, aldermen and assistants of the said city of Albany,
for the time being, and their successors, forever hereafter,
be, and shall be, by force of these presents, one body cor-
porate and politic, in deed, fact, and name, by the name of,
the mayor, aldermen and commonalty, of the city of Albany ;
and them by the name of, the mayor, aldermen and common-
alty of the city of Albany, one body corporate and politic, in
deed, fact, and name ; and I do really and fully create, ordain,
make, constitute, and confirm by these presents, and that
by the name of, the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of
the city of Albany, they may have perpetual succession,
and that they, and their successors, forever, by the name
of, the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the city of
64 Charter of the City of Albany.
Albany, be, and shall be, forever hereafter, persons able,
and in law capable, to have, get, receive, and possess lands,
tenements, rents, liberties, jurisdictions, franchises, and
hereditaments, to them and their successors, in fee simple,
or for term of life, lives or years, or otherwise; and also
goods, chattels, and also other things of what nature,
quality, or kind soever; and also to give, grant, let, set,
and assign the said lands, tenements, hereditaments, goods,
and chattels, and to do and execute all other things in and
about the same, by the name aforesaid ; and also, that they
be, and forever shall be r persons able in law, capable to
plead, and be impleaded, answer, and be answered unto,
defend, and be defended, in all or any of the courts of his
said majesty, and other places whatsoever, and before any
judges, justices, and other person or persons whatsoever, in
all and all manner of actions, suits, complaints, demands,
pleas, causes and matters whatsoever, of what nature, kind
or quality soever, in the same and the like manner and form
as other people of this province, being persons able and in
law capable, may plead and be impleaded, answer and be
answered unto, defend and be defended, by any lawful
ways or means whatsoever; and that the said mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Albany, and
their successors shall and may forever hereafter, have one
common seal to serve for the sealing of all and singular
their affairs and businesses, touching or concerning the
said corporation. And it shall and may be lawful to and
for the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said
city of Albany, and their successors, as they shall see cause,
to break, change, alter and new make their said common
seal, and as often as to them it shall seem convenient.
And further know ye, that I have assigned, named, or-
dained and constituted, and by these presents, do assign,
name, ordain and constitute Peter Schuyler, to be the pre-
sent mayor of the said city of Albany, and that the said
Peter Schuyler, shall remain and continue in the office of
mayor there, until another fit person shall be appointed
and sworn in the said office, as in and by these presents, is
hereafter mentioned and directed. And I have assigned,
named, ordained and constituted, and by these presents do
assign, name, ordain and constitute, Isaac Swinton, to be
PIETEK SCHUYLER, FIRST MATOR OF ALBANY,
painting done in England in 1712, and now in the posse ssion of John Schiiyler
He is said to have been hurried near the site of the old Eagle Tavern, in
Broadway, below Hamilton street, west side.
Charter of the City of Albany. 65
the present recorder of the said city, to do and execute all
things, which unto the office of recorder of the said city
doth, or may any way appertain or belong. And I have
assigned, named, ordained and constitute, and by these
presents do ordain, constitute, create and declare, Robert
Livingston, town clerk of the said city ; to do and execute
all things which unto the office of town clerk, doth or may
belong. And also I have named, assigned, constituted and
made, and by these presents do assign, constitute and make
Dirk Wessels, Jan Jans Bleecker, David Schuyler, Jo-
hannis Wendel, Lavinus Van Schaick, and Adrian Garritse,
citizens and inhabitants of the said city of Albany, to be
the present aldermen of said city. And also I have made,
assigned, named and constituted, and by these presents do
make, assign, name and constitute Joachim Staats, John
Lansing, Isaac Yerplank, Lawrence Van Ale, Albert Ryck-
man, and Melgert Winantse, citizens and inhabitants of the
said city, to be the present assistants of the said city.
Also I have assigned, chosen, named and constituted, Jan
Bleecker, citizen and inhabitant of the said city, to be the
present chamberlain or treasurer, of the city aforesaid.
And I have assigned, named, constituted and appointed,
and by these presents do assign, name, constitute and ap-
point, Richard Pretty, one of the said citizens there, to
be the present sheriff of the said city. And I have as-
signed, named, constituted and appointed, and by these
presents do assign, name, constitute and appoint, James
Parker, one other of the said citizens, to be the present
marshal of the said city.
And I do, by these presents, grant to the said mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Albany, and
their successors, that the mayor, recorder, aldermen, and
assistants of the said city, for the time being, or the mayor
and any three or more of the aldermen, and three or
more of the assistants of the said city, for the time being,
be, and shall be called the common council of the said
city; and that they, or the greater part of them, shall
or may have full power and authority, by virtue of these
presents, from time to time, to call and hold common
council, within the common council house, or city hall
of the said city ; and there, as occasion shall be, to make
66 Charter of the City p/ Albany.
laws, orders, ordinances and constitution in writing ;
and to add, alter, diminish and reform them, from
time to time, as to them shall seem necessary and conveni-
ent, (not repugnant to the prerogative of the King's ma-
jesty, his heirs or successors, or to any the laws of the
kingdom of England, or other the laws of the general
assembly of the province of New York aforesaid) for the
good rule, oversight, correction and government of the
said city, and liberties of the same, and of all the officers
thereof, and of the several tradesmen, victuallers, artificers,
and of all other people and inhabitants of the city, liberties
and precincts aforesaid, and for the preservation of govern-
ment, the Indian trade, and all other commerce and dealing,
and for disposal of all the lands, tenements and heredita-
ments, goods and chattels of the said corporation : which
said laws, ordinances and constitutions, shall be binding
to all the inhabitants of the said city, liberties and precincts
aforesaid ; and which laws, orders, ordinances and constitu-
tions, so by them to be made as aforesaid ; shall be and
remain in force, for the space of one year, and no longer,
unless they shall be allowed and confirmed by the governor
and council, for the time being.
And further, I will and grant to the said common council
.of the said city, for the time being, as often as they make,
ordain and establish such laws, orders, ordinances, and
constitutions aforesaid, shall or may make, ordain, limit,
provide, set, impose, and tax reasonable fines and amercia-
ments, against and upon all persons offending against such
laws, orders, ordinances and constitutions as aforesaid,
or any of them, to be made, ordained and established as
aforesaid, and the same fines and amerciaments shall and
may require, demand, levy, take and receive, by warrants,
under the common seal, to and for the use and behoof of
the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city, and
their successors, either by distress and sale of the goods
and chattels of the offenders therein, if such goods and
chattels may be found within the said city, liberties and
precincts thereof, rendering to such offender and offenders
the overplus, or by any other lawful ways or means whatso-
ever.
Charter of the City of Albany. 67
And I do by these presents, for the King's majesty, his
heirs and successors, approve and Ordain the assigning,
naming and appointment of the mayor and sheriff of the
said city, that it shall be as follows, viz : upon the feast
day of St. Michael, the arch angel, yearly, the lieutenant
governor or commander in chief, for the time being, by
and with the advice of his council, shall nominate and
appoint such a person as he shall think fit, to be mayor of
the said city, for .the year next ensuing; and one other
person of sufficient ability in estate, and capacity in un-
derstanding, to be sheriff of the said city of Albany, for the
year next ensuing; and that such person as shall be
assigned, named and appointed mayor, and such person as
shall be assigned, named and appointed sheriff of the said
city as aforesaid, shall on the 14th day of October, then
next following, in the city-hall or stadt-house aforesaid,
take the several and respective corporal oaths before
the recorder, aldermen and assistants or any three of the
aldermen and four of the assistants of the said city, for the
time being, for the due execution of their respective offices
as aforesaid ; and that the said mayor and sheriff, so to be
nominated and appointed as aforesaid, shall remain and
continue in their respective offices, until another fit person
shall be nominated, appointed and sworn in the place of
mayor, and one other person shall be nominated, 'appointed
and sworn in the place of sheriff of the said city, in manner
aforesaid : which oaths the said recorder, aldermen and
assistants, or any three or more of the aldermen, .shall and
may lawfully administer, and have hereby power to adminis-
ter to the said Mayor and the said sheriff, so nominated
and appointed, from time to time, accordingly.
And further, that according to usage and ffcfitom, the
recorder and town clerk of the said city, shall be persons
of good capacity and understanding, such as his most sacred
majesty, his heirs and successors, shall in the said respective
offices of recorder and town clerk respectively appoint and
commissionate; and for defect of such appointment, and
commissionating, by his most sacred majesty as aforesaid,
his heirs and successors, to be such persons as the said
governor, l^utenant 'or commander in chief of the said
province, for the time being shall appoint or commissionate ;
68 Charter of the City of Albany.
which persons so commissionated to the said office of re-
corder and office of* town clerk respectively, shall have,
hold and enjoy the said offices respectively, according to
the tenor and effect of the said respective commissions, and
not otherwise.
And further, I will, that the recorder, town clerk, alder-
men, assistants, chamberlain, high constables, petty-6on-
stables, and all other officers of the said city, before they,
or any of them shall be admitted to enter upon and exe-
cute their respective offices, shall be sworn faithfully to
execute the same, before the mayor, or any three or more
of the aldermen, for the time being. And I do, by these
presents, for and on behalf of his said majesty, his heirs and
successors, grant, and give power and authority to the mayor
and recorder of the said city, for the time being to ad-
minister the same respective oaths to them accordingly.
And further, I will, and by these presents, do grant for and
on behalf of his most sacred majesty, his heirs and suc-
cessors, that the mayor aldermen and recorder of the said
city, for the time being, shall be justices and keepers of
the peace of his said majesty, his heirs and successors,
and justices to hear and determine matters and causes
within the said city, liberties and precincts thereof;
and that they or any three or more of them, shall and may
forever hereafter have power and authority, by virtue of
these presents, to hear and determine all and all manner
of petty larcenies, riots, routs, oppressions, extortions, and
all other trespasses and offences whatsoever within the said
city of Albany, and the limits, precincts, and liberties
thereof, from time to time, arising and happening, and
which shall arise or happen, and any ways belong to the
office of jj^tices of the peace, and correction and punish-
ment of the offences aforesaid, and every of them, according
to the laws of England, and the laws of the said province ;
and to do and execute all other -things in the said city,
liberties and precincts aforesaid, so fully and in as ample
manner as to the commissioners assigned, and to be assigned
for the keeping of the peace in the said city and county of*
Albany, doth or may belong.
And moreover, I do, by these presents, fot his majesty
his heirs and successors, will and appoint that the alder-
Charter of the City of Albany. 69
men and assistants, within the said city, be yearly chosen
on the feast day of St. Michael the arch angel, for ever,
viz : Two aldermen and two assistants for each respective
ward, in such public place in the said respective wards,
as the aldermen for the time being, for each ward,
shall direct and appoint, and that by the majority of voices
of the inhabitants of each ward ; and that the chamberlain
shall be yearly chosen, on the said feast day, in the city
hall of the said city, by the said mayor, aldermen and
assistants of the said city, or by the mayor or three or
more of the aldermen, and three or more of the assistants
of the said city, for the time being. And I do, by these
presents, constitute and appoint Robert Livingston to be the
present town clerk, clerk of the peace, and clerk of the court
of pleas, to be holden before the mayor, recorder and alder-
men within the said city, and the liberties and precincts
thereof.
And further, I do by these presents, for his said majesty,
his heirs and successors, require and straitly charge and
command, that the sheriff, town clerk, clerk of the peace,
high constable, petty constables, and all other ' subordinate
officers in the said city, for the time being, and every of
them respectively, jointly and severally, as causes shall
require, shall attend upon the said mayor, recorder, and
a}dermen of the said city, for the time being, and every or
any of them, according to the duty of their respective place,
in and about the executing of such the commands, precepts,
warrants and process of them, and every of them, as be-
longeth and appertaineth to be done or executed.
And that the aforesaid mayor, recorder, and aldermen,
and every of them, as justices of the peace, for the time
being, by their or any of their warrants, all and every
person or persons for high treason or petty treason, or for
suspicion thereof, and for other felonies whatsoever, and
all malefactors and disturbers of the peace, and other offend-
ers for any other misdemeanors, who shall be apprehended
within the said city or liberties thereof, or without the
same in any part within the said county, shall and may
send and commit, or cause to be sent and committed to the
common gaol of the said city, there to remain and be kept
in safe custody by the keeper of the said gaol, or his deputy
70 Charter of the City of Albany.
for the tine being, until such offender and offenders shall
be lawfully delivered thence.
And I do, by these presents, for his said majesty, his
heirs and successors, charge and require the keeper and
keepers of the said gaol for the time being, and his and
their deputy and deputies, to receive and take into safe
custody, to keep all and singular such person and persons
so apprehended, or to be apprehended, sent and com-
mitted unto the said gaol, by warrant of the said justices
or any of them as aforesaid, until he or they so sent and
committed to the said gaol, shall from thence be delivered
by due course of law.
And further, I grant and confirm, for his said majesty,
his heirs and successors, that the said mayor of the said
city for the time being, and no other, shall have power
and authority to give and grant licenses annually, under
the public seal of the said city, to all tavern keepers, inn
keepers, ordinary keepers, victuallers and all public sellers
of wine, strong waters, cider, beer, or any sort of liquors
by retail within the city aforesaid, or the liberties and
precincts thereof, or without the same in any part of said
county ; and that it shall and may be lawful to and for the
said mayor of the said city, for the time being, to ask, de-
mand, receive for each license by him to be given and granted
aforesaid, such sum or sums of money, as he and the person
to whom such license shall be given or granted, shall agree
for, not exceeding the sum of thirty shillings, current
money of this country, for each license ; all which money,
as by the said mayor, shall be so received, shall be used
and applied to the public use of the said mayor, aldermen
and commonalty of the said city of Albany, without any
account thereof to be rendered, made or done to his said
majesty, his heirs, successors or assigns, or any of his
lieutenants, or governors of the said province, for the time
being, or any of their deputies.
And further, I do grant for his said majesty, his heirs
and successors, that the said mayor of the said city, for the
said city, for the time being, and no other, be, and forever
shall be clerk of the market within the city aforesaid, and
the liberties and precincts, thereof; and that he and no
other, shall and may forever do, execute and perform all
Charter of the City of Albany. 71
and singular acts, deeds and things whatsoever, belonging
to the office of clerk of the market within the city aforesaid,
and the liberties and precincts thereof, to be done, ex-
ecuted, and performed. And that the said mayor of the
said city for the time being, and no other person or persons,
shall or may have assize or assay of bread, wine, beer and
wood, and other things to the office of clerk of the market
belonging or concerning, as well in the presence as in the
absence of his said majesty, his heirs, and successors, or his
or their lieutenants or governors here. Also, I will and
grant for his said majesty, his heirs and successors, unto
the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city for
the time being, and their successors forever, that the mayor
of the city aforesaid, for the time being, during the time
that he shall remain in the said office of mayor, and no
other, be, or shall be coroner of his said majesty, his heirs
and successors, as well within the city aforesaid, and the
liberties and precincts thereof, as without the same, within-
the limits or bounds of the said county : and that he, and
no other, shall do or cause to be done and executed, within
the said city, limits and precincts thereof, or without the
same, within the limits and bounds of the county, all and
singular matters and things to the said office of coroner
belonging, there to be done. And that the said mayor of
the said city for the time being, shall take his corporal
oath before the recorder, or any three or more of the alder-
men of the said city, well and duly to execute the said office
of clerk of the market and coroner of the said city and
county, before he take upon him the execution of either of
the said offices.
And also, I do by these presents, grant unto the mayor,
aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Albany, that
if any of the citizens of the said city, or inhabitants within
the liberties and precincts thereof, that shall after be elected,
nominated, and chosen to the office of mayor, aldermen,
assistants, sheriff or chamberlain of the said city as afore-
said, and have notice of his or their election, shall refuse
or deny to take upon him or them to execute that office,
to which they shall be so chosen or nominated ; that then,
and so often it shall and may be lawful for the mayor,
recorder, aldermen and assistants of the said city, for the
72 Charter of the City of Albany.
time being, or the mayor, or any three of the aldermen,
and three or more of the assistants of the said city for the
time being, to tax, assess, and impose upon such person or
persons so refusing or denying, such reasonable or moderate
fines and sum of money as to their discretion shall be
thought most fit so as the said fine, penalty, or sum, for
refusing or denying to hold and execute the office of mayor
of the said city, do not exceed the sum of twenty pounds,
current money of this country ; and the fine for refusing
or denying to hold and execute the place of an aldermen
do not exceed the sum of ten pounds, like current money ;
and the fine for denying or refusing to hold and execute
the place of chamberlain, assistant or sheriff, the sum of
five pounds, like current money.
And I do, by these presents, for his said majesty, his
heirs and successors, authorize the mayor, recorder, alder-
men and assistants of the .said city for the time being, and
the mayor, and three or more'of the aldermen, and three or
more of the assistants there for the time being, to frustrate
and make void the election of such person or persons so
refusing or denying as aforesaid; and then, and in such
cases, any other fit and able person and persons, citizen
and citizens, of the said city, or inhabiting within the liberties
and precincts thereof, in convenient times, to elect anew in
manner aforesaid, directed and prescribed to execute such
office and offices so denied or refused to be executed as
aforesaid; and that if it shall happen that such person or
persons so to be elected anew, shall refuse or deny to take
upon him or them any of the said office or offices unto
which he or they shall be chosen and elected as aforesaid ;
then and in such case, the mayor, recorder, aldermen and
assistants of the said city for the time being, or the said
mayor, or three or more of the said aldermen, and three or
more of the assistants of the said city for the time being,
shall or may set, and impose upon them so denying or
refusing, such and the like moderate fines as is before set
down in the like cases to the respective offices, with such
limitations as aforesaid ; and also in such and the like
manner as aforesaid; to continue and make void such
election and elections, and make new elections as often as
need shall be and required ; all which said fines so set and
Charter of the City of Albany. 73
imposed, I do, by these presents, for and on behalf of his
said majesty, his heirs, successors and assigns, grant to be,
and shall be and remain, and belong unto, and shall be
put into the possession and seizen of the mayor, aldermen
and commonalty for the time being, and their successors,
to be levied and taken by warrant under the common seal,
and by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the
several persons so refusing or denying as aforesaid, if such
goods and chattels may be found within the said city,
liberties and precincts thereof, rendering to the parties the
overplus, or by any other ways or lawful means whatsoever,
to the only use of the said mayor, aldermen and common-
alty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, with-
out any account to be rendered, made or done to the said
king's majesty, his heirs, successors or assigns for the same.
And know ye, that for the better government of* the
said city, and for the welfare of the citizens, tradesmen and
inhabitants thereof, I do by these presents, for his said
majesty his heirs and successors, give and grant to the
said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city,
and their successors, that the mayor, recorder and alder-
men, or the mayor or any three or more of the aldermen,
for the time being, shall, from time to time and all times
hereafter, have full power and authority, under the common
seal, to make free citizens of the said city and liberties
thereof; and no person or persons 'whatsoever, other than
such free citizens, shall hereafter use any art, trade, mystery
or manual occupation within the said city, liberties, and
precincts thereof, saving in the times of fairs there to be
kept, and during the continuance of such fairs only. And
in case any person or persons whatsoever, not being free
citizens, shall hereafter use or exercise any art, trade
mystery or manual occupation or shall by himself themselves
or others, sell or expose to sale any manner of merchandize
or wares whatsoever by retail, in any house, shop or place,
or standing within the said city, or the liberties or precincts
thereof, no fair being then kept in the said city, and shall
persist therein, after warning to him or them given or left,
by the appointment of the mayor of the said city, for the
time being, at the place or places where such person or
Annals, ii. 7
74 Charter of the City of Albany.
persons shall so use 'and exercise any art, trade, mystery or
manual occupation or shall sell or expose to sale any wares
or merchandize, as aforesaid, by retail ; then, it shall be
lawful for the mayor of the said city, for the time being, to
-cause such shop windows to be shut, and also to impose
such reasonable fine for such offence, not exceeding twenty
shillings, for every respective offence ; and the same fines
so imposed, to levy and take, by warrant under the common
seal of the said city, for the time being, by distress and
sale of the goods and chattels, of the person or persons so
offending in the premises, found within the liberties and
precincts of the said city, rendering to the parties the over-
plus, or by any other lawful ways or means whatsoever, to
the only use of the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty
of the said city of Albany, and their successors, without
any account to be rendered, made or done to his majesty,
his heirs and successors or to his or their lieutenants, go-
vernors, or commanders in chief, for the same. Provided
always, that no person or persons, shall be made free as afore-
said, but such as are his majesty's natural born subjects, or
such as shall be first naturalized by act of general assembly,
or have obtained letters of denization, under the hand of
the lieutenant, or governor, or commander-in-chief for the
time being, and the seal of the said province; and that all
persons to be made free as aforesaid, shall and do pay for
the public use of the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty
of the said city, such sums of money, as such person or
persons, so to be made free, shall respectively agree for, not
exceeding the sum of three pounds twelve shillings, for
the admission of each merchant or trader; and the sum
of six and thirty shillings, for the admission of each hand-
icraft or tradesmen.
And whereas, amongst other the rights, privileges, pre-
heminences and advantages, which the citizens and freemen
of the said city of Albany, and their predecessors, have for
many years last past held, used and enjoyed, the privileges,
preheminences, and advantages of having within their own
wall, the sole management of the trade with all the Indians
living within and to the eastward, northward and westward
of the said county of Albany, within the compass of his
said majesty's dominion here, which hath been from time
Charter of the City of Albany. 75
to time, confirmed to them, and their said predecessors, as
well by prescription, as by divers and sundry grants, orders,
confirmations and proclamations, granted, ordered, con-
firmed, and issued forth, not only by and from divers go-
vernors, and commanders in chief in the said province, since
the same hath been under his said majesty's dominion, but
also of several governors, generals, and commanders- in
chief of the Nether-Dutch nation, whilst, the same was, or
has been under their power and subjection, which has
always been found by experience, to be of great advantage,
not only to the said city in particular, but to the whole
province in general; and that by the care, caution and in-
spection of the magistrates, of the said city, to the well and
orderly management and keeping the trade with the Indians
within their walls, it hath returned vastly to the advancement
of trade and the increase of his majesty's revenue, and been
the sole means, not only of preserving this province in
peace and quiet, whilst the neighbouring colonies were
imbrued in blood and war; but also of putting an end to
the miseries those colonies labored under from the insulting
cruelty of the Northern Indians. Whereas on the other
hand, it has been no less evident, that whenever there has
been any slackness or remissness in the regulation and keep-
ing the Indian trade within the walls of the said city,
occasioned by the incroachment pf some persons trading
with the Indians, in places remote, some clandestinely,
others upon pretence of hunting passes, and the like, the
trade not only of the said city, but of the whole province
has apparently decreased, the king's revenue has been
much impaired, and not only so, but this government has
lost much of the reputation and management amongst the
Indians, which it otherwise had and enjoyed; wherefore,
for and on behalf of his said majesty, his heirs and suc-
cessors, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and
by these presents, do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto
the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city of
Albany, and their successors forever, the right, privileges,
preheminence and advantage of the sole and only manage-
ment of the trade with the Indians, as well within this
whole county, as without the same, to the eastward, north-
ward and westward thereof, as far as his majesty's dominion
76 Charter of the City of Albany.
here does or may extend, to be managed and transacted
only by the freemen, being actual inhabitants within the
said city and within the now walls or stockadoes thereof,
and not elsewhere. And I do hereby, for his said majesty,
his heirs and successors, absolutely forbid and prohibit all
and every the inhabitants of the said province of New York,
(the inhabitants of the said city of Albany, only excepted)
to trade or traffic with any of the five nations of Indians,
called the Senekas, Cayouges, Onnondages, Oneydes, and
Maqueas, who live to the westward, or with any other Indian
or Indians whatsoever, within the county of Albany, or to
the eastward, northward or westward thereof, so far as
his said majesty's dominions here, do or may extend, or to
have or keep in their houses or elsewhere, any Indian
goods or merchandize, upon the pain and penalty of the
forfeiture and confiscation of such Indian commodities,
whether the same be beavers, peltry or other Indian com-
modities, whatsoever, except Indian corn, venison, and
dressed deer skins, to trade for, and upon pain and penalty
of the forfeiture and confiscation of all such Indian goods
and merchandizes, as guns, powder, lead, duffels, rum and all
other Indian goods and merchandize, which shall at any
time hereafter be found, concealed, or kept in any house or
place without the walls of the said city, and within the said
county of Albany, and the other limits and boundaries herein
before set forth and prescribed ; and in case any person or
persons whatsoever shall at any time hereafter, out of the
walls of the said city, and within the said county, or the
other limits and boundaries herein before set fofth and
prescribed, trade or traffic with any Indian or Indians, for
any beavers, peltry, or other Indian commodities, (except
before excepted) or there shall conceal and keep any Indian
goods, wares or merchandizes in any house or place as afore-
said; then it shall and may be lawful for the mayor, recorder,
or any of the aldermen for the time being, by warrant under
their or any of their hands, to cause such Indian commodities
so traded for, and such goods or merchandizes so kept and con-
cealed without the walls of the said city, wheresoever they shall
be found within the said city or county, or without the same,
within the limits and boundaries before expressed, to be
seized, and the same to be condemned and confiscate, in the
Charter of the City of Albany. 77
court of pleas, or common pleas in the said city, or any
other court of record within the said city or province, one
third part to the mayor of the said city for the time being,
one third part to such person or persons as shall inform or
sue for the same, and the other third part to the use of the
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Al-
bany, and their successors forever. And also, that it shall
and may be lawful to and for the mayor, recorder and
aldermen of the said city for the time Being, by a warrant
under their or any of their hands and seals, to cause such
person or persons, as shall presume to trade or traffic with
the Indians contrary to the form and effect of these pre-
sents, to be apprehended wherever they shall be found
within the limits and boundaries herein before prescribed,
to answer the same at the court of pleas and common pleas
in the said city, or any other court of record within the said
city or province, where being legally convicted thereof, such
person or persons, over and besides the forfeiture and con-
fiscation of such goods, merchandizes and commodities as
aforesaid, shall be fineable, and fined in such sum or sums
of money, (not exceeding twenty pounds, current money
of this country) at the discretion of such court, before
whom he or they shall be prosecuted, shall be thought
reasonable and convenient; which said fines shall be one-
third part to the person who shall inform and prosecute for
the same, and the other two-thirds to the use of mayor,
aldermen and commonalty, and their successors forever.
And further, I do by these presents, for and on behalf of
his said majesty, his heirs and successors, grant and declare
to the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of Albany,
and their successors, that his majesty, his heirs and suc-
cessors, or any of his or their governors, lieutenants,
commanders in chief, or other officers, shall not, or will not,
from henceforth, forever, hereafter, grant unto any person
or persons whatsoever, any license or licenses, to. hunt
within the said county of Albany, or to the eastward, north-
ward or westward, so far as his said majesty's dominions
here, doth, or may extend, without the consent and ap-
probation of the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the
said city of Albany, for the time being, by the said person
or persons first to be had and obtained.
78 Charter of the City of Albany.
And further, I do, by these presents, for his said majesty,
and his successors, grant to the said mayor, aldermen and
commonalty of the said city, that they and their successors
be forever, persons able and capable, and shall have power
to purchase, have, take, and possess in fee simple, lands,
tenements, rents, and other possessions, within or without
the same city to them and their successors forever, so as
the same exceed not the yearly value of one thousand
pounds per annum, the statute of mortmain, or any other law
to the contrary notwithstanding ; and the same lands, ten-
ements, hereditaments, and premises or any part thereof to de-
mise, grant, lease, set over, assign and dispose at their own will
and pleasure, and to make, seal, and accomplish any deed or
deeds, lease or leases, evidences or writings for or concerning
the same or any part thereof, which shall happen to be made
and granted by the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of
the said city for the time being.
And further, for and on behalf of his said majesty, his
heirs and successors, I do, by these presents, grant to the
said mayor, aldermen and commonalty, that they and their
successors shall and may forever hereafter, hold and keep
within the said city, in every week in the year, two market
days, the one upon Wednesday, and the other upon Satur-
day, weekly forever.
And also, I do by these presents, for and on behalf of
his said majesty, his heirs and successors, grant to the said
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city, that they
and their successors and assigns shall and may at any time
or times hereafter, build a public weigh-house in such part
of the said city, as to them shall seem convenient ; and that
they the said mayor, aldermen, and commonalty shall and
may receive, perceive, and take to their own proper use and
behoof all and singular the issues and profits therefrom or
thereby arising or accruing; as also, that they the said
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city of Al-
bany, their heirs and successors, shall and may at any time
or times hereafter, when it to them shall seem fit and con-
venient, to take in, fill and make up, and lay out all and
singular the ground and lands within the limits and precinct
of the said city, and the same to build upon and make use
of in other manner or way as to them shall seem fit, as far
Charter of the City of Albany. 79
into the river that passeth by the same as low water mark
aforesaid.
And further, and on behalf of his said majesty, his heirs
and successors, I do, by these presents, give and grant unto
the aforesaid mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said
city of Albany, and their successors, that they and their
successors, shall and may have, hold and keep within the
said city, liberties and precincts thereof, once every fort-
night in every year forever, upon Tuesday, one court of
common pleas for all actions of debt, trespass upon the case,
detinue, ejectment, and other personal actions, and the
same to be held, before the mayor, recorder and aldermen,
or any three of them, (whereof the mayor or recorder to be
one,) who shall have power to hear and determine the same
pleas and actions, according to the rules of common law,
acts of the general assembly of the said province, and the
course of other corporations in the like nature.
And further, for and on the behalf of his said majesty, his
heirs and successors, I do, by these presents, give and grant
to the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city
of Albany, and their successors forever, that the mayor of
the said city for the time being, shall and may determine
all and all manner of actions, or causes whatsoever, to be
had, moved or depending between party and party, so always
as the same exceed not the value of forty shillings, current
money of this province.
And further, for and on behalf of his said majesty, his
heirs and successors, I do grant to the said mayor, aldermen
and commonalty of the said city, and their successors for-
ever, that the mayor, recorder and aldermen of the said city
shall always be, so long as they shall continue in their
said respective offices, justices of the peace for the said
county, and as such shall and may sit in the courts of
sessions, or county courts, and courts of oyer and terminer
that shall from time to time be held and kept within the
said county ; and that the mayor, recorder, or some one of
the aldermen of the said city for the time being, shall and
may always preside in or be president of such county courts
or courts of sessions, to be held within the said county, as
aforesaid, and that the sheriff of the said city for the time
being, shall always be sheriff of the said county ; also that
80 Charter of the City of Albany.-
the town clerk of the said city for the time being, shall al-
ways be the clerk of the peace, and clerk of the court of
sessions, or county courts for the said county.
And further, I do, for and on the behalf of his said ma-
jesty, his heirs and successors, by these presents grant to
the said mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the said city
of Albany, and their successors, that the said mayor, alder-
men and commonalty of the said city, and their successors,
shall have and enjoy all the privileges, franchises, and pow-
ers that they have and use, or that any of their predecessors,
at any time within the space of twenty years last past, had,
took, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, by reason, or under
pretence of any further charter, grant, prescription, or any
other right, custom or usage, although the same have been
forfeit or lost, or hath been ill used or not used, or abused,
or discontinued, albeit they be not particularly mentioned
herein; and no officer shall disturb them therein, under
any pretence whatsoever, not only for their future, but
their present enjoyment thereof, provided always, that the
said privileges, franchises and powers be not inconsistent
with, or repugnant to the laws of his majesty's kingdom of
England, or other the laws of the General Assembly as afore-
said, and saving to his majesty, his heirs, successors and as-
signs, and his commanders in chief, lieutenants, governors
and other officers under him or them in his Fort Albany, in or
by the city of Albany, and in all the liberties, boundaries,
extents and privileges thereof, for the maintenance of the
said fort and garrison there, all the right, use, title and
authority, which his said majesty, or any of his said com-
manders-in-chief, lieutenants, and other officers have had
used or exercised there, (excepting the said pasture herein
before granted, or mentioned to be granted, to the said
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of the city of Albany,
aforesaid,) and saving to all other persons, bodies politic and
corporate, their heirs, successors and assigns, all such right,
title and claim, possessions, rents, services, commons, emolu-
ments and interest, of, in and to any thing that is theirs
save only the franchises aforesaid, in as ample manner as if
this charter had not been made.
And further, I do appoint and declare, that the incorpora-
tion to be founded by this charter shall not at any time
Charter of the City of Albany. 81
hereafter do or suffer to be done, anything by which the
lands, tenements or hereditaments, stock, goods, or chattels
thereof, or in the hands, custody or possession of any of the
citizens of the said city, such as have been set, let, given,
granted, or collected, to and for pious and charitable uses,
shall be wasted or misemployed, contrary to the trust or
intent of the founder or giver thereof. And that such, and
no other construction shall be made hereof, than that
which may tend most to advance religion, justice and the
public good, and to suppress all acts and contrivances to be
invented or put in use contrary hereunto. In witness whereof
I have to these presents set my hand, and thereto have
affixed the seal of the said province, and caused the same
to be enrolled in the secretary's office of the said province
this two and twentieth day of July, in the second year of
his said majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord, one
thousand six hundred eighty and six.
THOMAS DONGAN.
The City Records.
THE CITY RECORDS.
The early records of the colony, and of the city also,
were written in the Dutch language, until about 1686,
There is a mass of books and papers relating to Albany in
the office of the secretary of state, and in the county clerk's
office; the latter in an imperfect state, and written in a
very obscure manner. The records in the office of the
clerk of the common council begin in 1668. The first
volume consists of minutes of the court from 1668 to 1673,
written in Dutch. The second volume consists of the pro*
ceedings of the commissarissen, or magistrates, of the city of
Albany from 1676 to 1680. The third volume contains
the proceedings of the justices of the peace from 1680
to 1685. These are bound in vellum, and are mostly in
Nederduytsche, generally very* well written. The common
council ordered them to be translated several years ago,
but the person employed for that purpose has merely given
a synopsis of the two last volumes, in such a way that they
are of no use to any body. The minutes of the common
council are very well preserved, as far as we have observed,
from the time the charter was received, in 1686. The
following transactions of the common council under the
charter are extracts from the records referred to, taken
from the volume marked No. 3, which, by the way, is a
part of the contents of No. 4, transcribed in a fairer cha-
acter.
1686 to 1695.
IN NOMINE DOMINO JESU CHRISTI AMEN.
Att a meeting of y e Justices of y e peace for y e county of
Albany, ye 26th day of July, A. D. 1686.
Pieter Schuyler, gent, and Rob* Livingston, gent., who
were commissionated by y e towne of Albanie, to goe to New
Yorke and procure ye Charter for this citty w h was agreed
The City Records. 83
upon between y e magistrates and y e right hoft 1 , -.CjpV Tho.
Dongan, Gov. Gen 11 , who accordingly have brought the same
along with them, and was published with all y e joy and
acclamations imaginable; and y e said two gent m received
y e thanks of y e magistrates and burgesses for their dili-
gence and care in obtaining y e same ; and whereas Pieter
Schuyler is nominated and appointed to be mayor of y e
citty of Albany by y e said charter, till such time that anoy r .
fitt person be chosen in his room. Was sworn as follows :
Whereas you Pieter Schuyler are appointed and commis-
sionated to be mayor and clerk of y e market and coroner of
y e citty of Albany, as also coroner for y e s d county, by y e
charter granted toy 6 said citty 'by y e Right Hon le Coll. Tho.
Dongan, Gov. Gen 11 , of this province, you doe swear by y e
ever living God, y l y u will truly endevor, to y e best of y r skill,
with a good conshience and according to y e laws of this Go-
vernment dispence iustice equally in all cases and to all p'sons
whereunto by vertue of y r office you are impowered, and
further officiat and perform y e duty and office of mayor,
clerk of y e market, and coroner, in every respect to y e best
of y r knowledge and capacity, so help y u God.
These following persons were ordained aldermen by -y e
charter y e ensuing year.
DIRK WESSELS, JOHANNES WENDEL,
JAN JANS Z BLEEKER, LEVINUS VAN SCHAIK,
DAVID SCHUYLER, ADRIAN GERRITSE.
The oath administred to them was :
Whereas, you Dirk Wessels, Jan Jans 2 Bleeker, David
Schuyler, Johannes Wendell, Levinus van Schaik and
Adrian Gerritse, by y e charter of privileges of y e city of
Albany, graunted by y e Right Hon b!e Col. Tho. Dongan, Go-
vern 1 " Gen' 1 dated y e 22d of this instant July, and assigned,
constituted and made to be y e present aldermen for y e city
afor 3cl you doe swear by y e etternall and almighty God, that
according to y e best of y r skill and capacity, you truly endevor
with a good conshience and according to y e laws of this go-
vernment, dispence justice equally and impartially in all cases
and to all persons whereunto by virtue of your office you
are impowered, and endeavor and further y e welfare and
prosperity of this city as farr as it in y u lyes so help you
God.
84 The City Records.
These following persons were ordained assistants by y e
charter for y e ensuing year.
JAN LANSING, ALBT. RYCKMAN,
ISAAK VERPLANK, JOCHIM STAETS,
LAWRENCE YAN ALE, MELGERT WYNANTSE.
Whereas, you Jan Lansing, Isak Verplank, Lawrence Van
Ale, Alb 1 Ryckman, Jochim Staets and Melgert Wynantse
are assigned, constituted and made y e present assistants of
y e city of Albany, by charter graunted by y e Right Hon ble
Col. Thomas Dongan, dated y e 22d of this instant, July
1686, you doe swear by y e ever living G-od, y l you will
according to y r best skill arid understanding att all times
freely give y r advice to y e mayor and aldermen for y e good
mannagement of y e public affares of this citty and be aideing
and assisting in y e makeing and constituteing of orders for
y e advancem 1 of trade and traffique of y e citty afore sd and
further to doe and act for y e common weill of this citty, so
help y u Grod.
Robt. Livingston was by charter appointed towne clerke
& a and was sworn accordingly.
Richard Pretty being assigned and constituted high
sheriff of y e citty and county of Albany, by y e charter, and
James Parker Marshall, were sworn accordingly.
Att a court of Mayor and Aldermen held for y e citty of
Albany y 17th day of August, 1686 : Present, Pr.
Schuyler, mayor, Jan Jansz Bleeker, J. Wendel, Dirk
Wessels, Adr. Gerritse, Lev. Van Shaike.
Hercules y e negro of Myndert Frederikse being brought
before y e court by y e warrant of y e Mayor, to answer y e fel-
onious takeing out of his masters house a small chest
wherein some baggs of wampum was contained belonging to
y e poor of y e Lutheran church, and being examined doth
confess y e fact y l upon Thursday night last he came to
his masters house and finding y e window of y e chamber
open went in and stole away y e small chest wherein
y e money of y e poor of y e Lutheran church was kept, and
broke y e chest open without y e gate at y e water side with
an ax.
The City Eecords. 85
Ordered y 1 y e said negroe be committed and secured in y e
common goale till y e next court of sessions, when he is to
be brought to his tryall.
The court of mayor and aldermen doe hereby publish and
declare y 1 according to y e act of assembly they have appointed
y e freeholders of y e city and county Albany to meet to-
gether on Monday next, being y e 21 of this instant month
August, at y e citty hall, and there elect a certain -number of
persons by y c majority of y e freeholders to be assessors for
this ensuing year, who shall have full power and authority
to make an assessment or certain rate for y e defraying y e pub-
like charge of y e county.
Actum in Albany ye 17th day of August, 1686.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., Aug. 31, 1686.
Whereas Myndert Frederickse hath made his request to
y e court that his negroe Hercules now in custody, may be
punished for y e theft y t he committed, in stealing y e chest
of wampum out of his masters house belonging to y e church
wardens of y e Lutheran church, and y l y e court order may
be remitted of having his tryall at y e sessions. Whereupon
y e court have considered y e matter and granted his request,
and ordered y e negroe to be brought to his further exami-
nation [who again confessed the deed].
The coiltt of mayor and aldermen having considered ye
case of y e negroe of Myndert Frederikse called Hercules,
who hath stole a chest of wampum be-longing to y e poor of
y e Lutheran parich out of y e house of his master, where he
went in a night throw y e window, all which he confesseth,
and considering how evil consequence it is and how bad
example it is for y e negers, the court have ordered y e s d
neger Hercules to be whipt throw y e towne att y e cart tale
by y e hands of y e hangman forthwith, for an example to
oy rs , and his master to pay y e costts.
Sept. 10.-=-Kegulations were passed for the observance of
the Sabbath.
* Sept. 11 Ordered that whoever of y e members of the com-
mon councill shall be absent at y e second ringing of y e bell,
being in town, at any common council day, shall forfeit six
shillings, toties quoties.
Annals, ii. 8
86 The City Records.
Sept. 14. Orders were passed for the regulation of the In-
dian trade, which are very lengthy. At this meeting the
salary of Robert Livingston, " in consideration of the diverse
services" which he performed as clerk, were advanced five
pounds, so that he was to have 20 per ann.
Whereas it hath been found by experience that y e bringing
in of y e fountain fromy e hill, into y e citty hath not only been
of great use to y e inhabitants for water butt the only means,
under God, of y e quenching of y e late fyre, wh h oy r wise
by all probability had consumed y e whole towne ; and where-
as y e spouts y 1 convey y e water to the wells in some places
are gone to decay or at least so leaky that y e wells are quite
useless, the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of y e citty
have therefore thought convenient to appoint and order y e
high constable, Isaak Verplank, forthwith to cause y e said
spouts and wells to be repaired, that they may be of like use
as formerly, and to keep an exact account of what y e charge
is which shall be forthwith ordered to be paid; and all labor-
ing persons are hereby strictly charged to assist towards y e
s d work as they will answer y e contrary att y r perills ; and if
the said high constable be found negligent y l he doth not
hys duty herein, and y l ye work be not and all y e wells and
spouts compleated in y e space of a fortnight, he shall for-
feit forty shillings.
Sept. 23. The assessors were directed to proceed to rate
the county the sum of 1600 guilders beaver, or 160; and for
defraying the city expenses 30, or 400 gl. beaver.
Att a Common Councill held in Albany, at y e Citty Hall of
y e said Citty on y e 26th day of October in y e 2d year of
ye Reign of our Souveraign Lord James y e Second, by
y e Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland king, Defender of y e Faith, Supream and only
Lord of y e Province of New Yorke, &c., and in y e year of
our Lord 1686 : Present, Dirk Wessels, recorder ; Adrian
Gerritse, Hend. Cuyler, Albert Ryckman, aldermen;
Abraham Van Tricht, Luykas Gerritse, William Groes-
beck, Jan Andrese Cuyper, Gerrit Ryerse.
The common council having taken into consideration y e
charges and expenses y e city have been at in obtaining y e
The City Eecords. 87
charter, and y l it is requisite some means should be used
to raise some money towards y e defraying of y e same have
therefore concluded and unanimously resolved to dispose off
and sell some lotts of grounde upon y e Plain lying on y e
south side of y e citty for gardens, as also y e land lying on
both sides of Rutten kil for two pastures, and to that end
these following persons are appointed to lay out y e same in
lotts, and to number them, to wit: G-errit Ryerse and
Luykas Gerritse, assistants, and Claes Riper and Jacob
Meese, carpenters, which said- lotts of grounde y e common
councill will dispose of at a publike vendu or out cry in y e
city hall on Wednesday ye first day of December next
ensuing. It is also ordered yt y e towne clerk put up bills
at y e citty hall door and y e church to give notice to all
persones that they may come at y e day appointed.
Whereas his Excell. Tho. Dongan, Capt. General and
Governour in cheeffe under his Majesty of y e Province of
New York and Dependencies, by virtue of y e power and
authority in him being, from and under his said Majesty,
in and by a charter bearing date y e 22d day of July last
past, given under y e scales ofy e said province for y c considera-
tions therein expressed, amongst diverse oy r things did
graunt to y e city a certain tract of land" above Schinnech-
tady, upon y e Maquaas river, of a thousand acres, called
Tiononderoga, and y e other land thereunto adjoining, and
whereas y e season will now admitt that a view may be taken
thereof, in order to purchase y e same of y e Indians, these
following persons are nominated and appointed by y e com-
mon councill by y e first conveniency to goe thither and view
y e said land, and make a report thereof to y e common
councill, to witt, Dirk Wessells, recorder, and Robt. Living-
ston, gentleman, with two other fitt persons whom they shall
think fit to goe along with them and assist them in the pro-
secution of said business.
John Carter and Cobus Van Vorst porters are convened
before y e common councill to take y e oaths as porters for
the city.
Ordered that y e fyremasters goe about and visite each
respective house in y e citty, to see if there chimneys and
fyrehearths be sufficient ,, and also that care be taken that
y e ladders and fyre hooks be upon there places and in re-
88 The City Records.
pare, all which is recommended to y e high constable, Isak
Verplank, forthwith to be put in execution.
John Gow is appointed and sworn for fyer master in y e
roome of Hend. Beekman. '
Att a Common Councill &c. 6th Nov., 1686.
Whereas there hath been diverse orders published from
time to time concerning y e wells and fountains of this city
where sundry people rense there cloathes, throw down
water and all sorts of filth neer to y e s d wells, and water
there horses out of y e pale y 1 hangs at y e same, and draw
water with foule pales ; It is therefore ordered by y e
mayor, recorder, aldermen and commonalty of this citty,
y* no person whatsoever shall for y e future rense cloathes
or throw water or any sort of filth in or near any of the
wells or fountains within this city, nor water any -horses
out of y e pale y l ha*g at y e same or draw water with any
fowle or dirty pale, upon pain of forfeiture of y e somme of 12s
for each offence, one moyety thereof to y e mayor, aldermen
and commonality of y e s d citty, and y e oy r moyety to y e use of
y e sheriffe, constables, or any oy r person as shall inform or
sue for y e same.
Whereas we have received information y* sundrey carmen
and oyr persons fetch sand from a topp of y e hill where y e
old burying place has been, insomuch y l ye verry coffins
are exposed to publke view; ordered y l no carman or other
person shall henceforth fetch or digg any sand on ye north
side of y e Shennechtady path, upon pain of forfeiting y e
some of twelfe shillings for each offence, one moyety [&c.
as above].
Nov. 19. It being "found inconvenient and that daily
disorders and abuses doe increase within this city by people's
taking the freedom to sell all sorts of liquor by retaile
both to Christians and Indians," without license, it -was
prohibited to sell by retail in less quantities than five
gallons, without license, under penalty of 5 for each
offence.
The Lycence for one y* sells ~by retaile.
Peter Schuyler, Esq r May r of y e city of Albany, to y e
sheriffe, constables, and y e King's Maj es officers, greet-
The City Records. 89
ing, know yee y* wee, y e s d mayor, have lycenced and by
these presents doe lycence Volkie Pieters to sell wine, rum,
and oy r strong drink by retaile in y e house where she now
liveth in this citty, both to Christians and Indians, for one
whole year next ensuing y e date hereof; provided always
shee pay such dutyes and excyse, as by y e laws and statutes
of this province are established, and behave herself accord-
ing to y e rules and orders of this city, in that behalfe made
and provided, in testimony whereof we have caused y e
scale of this city to be hereunto affixed, dated y e 22th day
of Novem br in y e Reign of our Souvraign Lord James y e
second by y e grace of God, of Engl d Scotland, France, and
Ireland, king, defender of y e faith.
P B . SHUYLER, Mayor.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., Dec. 28, 1686.
Be it remembred y l y e s d day came before y e mayor's court,
John Doe who gave this court to understand and be informed
y* Lafleur alias Rene Poupar, of y e county of Albany, yeoman,
on y e 23 d day of Decem r in ye second year of his maj se reign,
att his house at y e Stille water in y e county of Albany, did
trade and traffique with y e indians, and then and there did bar-
ter with s d indians, certain goods and merchandizes, viz 1 strung
wampum, stockings and oy r indian commodities for dear
skins and peltry, and did also in his house keep and con-
ceale two hundred and thirty-four gilders in strung wam-
pum, nine pare of indian stockings, and eight dear skins,
contrare and against y e form and effect of severall laws,
orders and proclamations in y l case made and provided,
whereupon y e said John Doe demands judgment of con-
demnation of y e s d 234 gilders, strung wampum, accDrding
to y e papers upon s d bunches writt, and nine pare of indian
stockings and eight dear skinns, one-third part for y e mayor,
aldermen and commonalty, one-third part for y e mayor, and
one-third part for y e s d John Doe, and ye s d John Doe doth
also demand jugem 1 of this court against y e s d Lefleur for ye
somme of twenty pounds courant money of this province,
as a fine for his so trading as aforesaid. Two-thirds thereof
for y e behoof of y e mayor, aldermen and commonalty of
this city, and one-third part for y e said John Doe.
90 The City Records.
Before Dirk "Wessels Eecorder and Aldermen, Jan. 25.
1686-7.
John Doe's information against Renne Poupar being read,
and y e s d Renne Poupar did engage to bring prooffs y l y e
wampum was at his house in order to pay the carpenter
for y e making of his house, of which he is wanting ; where-
upon y e case is put into y e hands of y e jury , viz 1 : Jan
Bleeker, Jan Lansing, Johannes de Wandelaer, David
Schuyler, Lawrence Van Ale, Johannes Cuyler, Jacob
Lokermans, Melg 1 Wynantse, Wessel ten Broek, Jan
Vinnagen, Arent Schuyler, Anth Lespinard, who being
gone out brings in their verdict and fynde it for y e Col.
and yt ye def 1 hath trangressed ye law in having zewant
and stockings in his house.
The court haveing considered y e case doe approve of y e
verdict of y e jury, and give judgem 1 against ye 234 gl. in
zew 1 and 9 pare of stockings founde in his house, one-third
for y e mayor, one third for y e mayor, aldermen and com-
monalty, and one-third for y e informer ; and moreover as an
fine y e somme of forty shillings courant money of this province,
two-thirds thereof for behooff of y e mayor, aldermen and com-
monality of this citty, and one-third for y e informer with
costs of sute.
Rene Poupar gives in a petition, and setts forth yt he
being a stranger, did not know y l it was prohibited to have
strung wampum in his house, doth therefore pray y 1 y e wam-
pum seized by the sheriff may be restored, and y e fine of
forty shillings remitted.
The court deferrs y e bussinesse till y e mayor comes home.
Same day (see above) Richard Pretty, sheriff of y e said
citty giveth this court to understand and be informed, Arent
Schulyer of this citty, trader, sometime in Decemr. last, at
his dwelling house in this citty, did affront and abuse y e
fyre-masters and constables who were sent by speciall order
and commission from y e court of mayor and aldermen, to
view y e chimneys and fyre-hearths, and notwithstanding his
being warned that his chimney was fowle and was desyred
to clean it against next day y l they came again, affronted them
and threatened to beat them, with divers oy r base words and
actions. It is therefore considered by y e court y'y e s d Arent
Schuyler doe pay as a fine, y e somme of forty shillings cou-
The City Records. 91
rant money of this province, and y l he pay for his costs and
charges 204 like courant money for his costs and charges
of prosecution at y e discretion of y e s d court.
Since it is very requisite y l there be fyre-wood rid to y e in
dian houses for y e indians' accomodation and y e traders be-
ing founde negligent in rideing y e same according to former
custome, you are hereby required in his maj st name to charge
and command all y e indian traders of this citty, that in y e
space of 14 days they ride wood according to y e list w h shall
be made by John Johnse Keeker, Jan Lansing, Robt. San-
ders and Arent Schuyler, to y e s d indian houses, and give
an ace 1 to you of each load they so shall ride to y e indian
houses afores d upon y e penalty of each person, if they shall
be negligent, to pay as a fine one ps. of I, and yt yu are in
no ways to ommitt in doeing whereof this shall b e y re suffi-
cient warrant, dated in Albany ye 24th day of February,
1686-7.
To Isaak Verplank, high constable of this city.
Att a Court of Mayor, &c., April 11, 1686-7.
Ordered that there be a pounde made upon y e plain for y e
use of this citty and precincts thereof, to put all horses, cattle,
hoggs and sheep therein, that any ways are founde trans-
gressing in any corn, pastures, orchards, gardins and oy r
lotts, according to law, and y e constables to have y e keeping
thereof.
Jacobus Van Yorst, Wm G-ysbertse and Joseph Yetts,
were admitted carmen, and had the following Lycences
granted them: P r Schuyler, may r of ye city of Albany, sends
greeting in our Lord God everlasting ; know yee y* wee y e
s d mayor, of good and credible report, to us made by diverse
credible and honest persones, y l Jacobus Yan Yorst one of y e
porters of this citty, is a man meet to keep a cart and be one
of y e carters of this city j have licenced, allowed and admitted,
and by these presents doe licence, allow, and admitt y e said
Jacobus Yan Yorst to be one of y e carters of this city, so y*
y e said Jacobus Yan Yorst doe not deny any body to ride
or cart for them when he is not employed about y e porter's
employment, and to behave himself according to y e rules
92 The City Becords.
and orders of this citty, in that behalf, made and provided,
in testimony whereof we have caused y e scale of y e said citty
to be hereunto affixed, dated ye 19th day of April, 1687, in
y e 3 d year of his maj st reign.
Whereas some of y e inhabitants of this city have been
wanting in y e makeing up their proportion of y e stockadoes
about y e fort upon the hill, by w h means y e fort can not be
repaired, you are hereby required in his maj ts name to cause
them of your comp e y 1 have not wrought and performed
there part at y e setting up of y e stockadoes, forthwith to
sett them up yt y e fort may be finished, in doeing whereof
this shall be to y u a sufficient warrant, Actum in Albany,
ye 25th day of May, 1687.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., June 14, 1687.
Ordered by y e court y* y e cap tns of y e respective com-
panies doe warn y e people under there command to keep a
watch every night in y e city till further order.
Orderd also y l y e sergeants of y e respective companies goe
about to raise a half years sellary for y e ratel watch.
[Mrs Elizabeth Van Dyck, relict of Cornelis Van Dyck,
applied for an appraisement of the estate.]
At a Common Council, &c., Aug. 27, 1687.
The business concerning y e tax or rate being taken into
consideration, is put to y e vote whether y e publike charge
of y e citty should be defrayed by an assessment or rate upon
y e inhabitants or not, and they that voted for a tax or
assessment are,
Pr. Schuyler, mayor, Albert Kyckman,
Dirk Wessels, recorder, Hend. Cuyler,
Johannes Wendell, Ger 1 Ryerse,
Adrian Gerritse, Mynd* Harmense.
Levinus Van Schaik,
And they yt voted to sell of y e lands belonging to y e city
at Tionondoroga &c.. are,
Wm. Claese, Luykas Gerritse, Jan Andriese.
The City Records. 93
Att a Court of Mayor &c., Oct. 14, 1687.
The returns of y e aldermen for y e 3 respective wards, for
choosing of new ones being made, and for y e first ward are
chosen Hend. Cuyler, Johannes Wendel ; for y e 2d ward
Levinus Van Schaick, Jan Jans Bleeker ; for y e 3d ward
David Schuyler, Alb 1 Ryckman. And for y e common
councill men are choose for y e first ward Reynier Barents,
Jacob Staas, for ye 2d warde Johannes Cuyler, W ra Claese,
for y e 3d warde Garrit Van Nesse, Ger* Ryerse j and were
sworne in there respective offices accordingly, except Capt.
Wendel and Capt. Bleeker.
By the court of Mayor and Aldermen of y e citty of Albany
Whereas y e selling of drink at unreasonable hours at night
is founde inconvenient especialy at this juncture of time, y e
court doe therefore hereby strictly charge and command y l
none of y e inhabitants of this city or county thereof doe
presume to sell any strong drink, beer, syder or other liquor
to any person whatever after y e Taptoo upon y e penalty of
forfeiting y e somme of tenn shillings every person y 1 shall
be found drinkeing in y e house, and if any citizen or in-
habitant of this citty doe presume to suffer people to
drink in their houses any drink fetched from y e tavern or
any other places, y e master of y l house shall pay for every
person yt he shall so adrnitt to drinke in his house after
y e Taptoo aforesaid, y e somme of six shillings courant
money of this province.
And whereas divers persons were warned last year to
ride a load of fyrewood to y e watch house, have been
negligent in doing y e same ; all persons are hereby warned
y l have not brought ye load of wood accordingly, y* they
bring or cause to bring y e same to y e guardhouse in y 6
space of 8 days, else it shall be brought from there yards
upon there cost and charge and moreover pay a fine of 2s,
and if there be no wood in there yards a load of wood shall
be brought upon there charge and brought to y e garde.
Dated in Albany ye 17th day of Oct. 1687.
ROBERT LIVINGSTON.
94 The City Records.
May 23, 1688. Isak Yerplank, high constable, and
Benony van Colaer, Evert Wendel Junr., and Johannes
de Wandelaer, constables, were dismissed, and thanked for
their good service.
And Benony van Corlaer was sworn high constable for
y e ensuing year, and Pr. Davidse Schuyler and Johannes
van Sante sworne as constables, and Evert Banker.
Oct. 14, 1688. The returns for ye aldermen of y e citty
of Albany for y e ensuing year, were, for aldermen,
Johannes Wendell, Levinus van Schaik, for y e first ward.
Jan Jansz Bleeker, Jan Lansing, second ward.
Albert Ryckman, David Schuyler, thirde ward.
And for y e common councill or assistants,
Reynier Barrentse, Evert Banker, 1st warde.
Johannes Beekman, Isaak Verplanke, 2d warde.
Johannes Abeel, Johannes Mingael, 3d warde.
Who were sworn in their respective offices accordingly.
For constables this ensuing year : Johannes van Sante,
high constables, Phill. Foreest, 1st warde ; John Nack, 2d
do ; Wessels ten Broek, 3d do.
November 27, 1688. Anthony Lispenard peticons y e
court y l order might be taken to pay y e funerall charges
of Mons. Salvay, a Frenchman of Canada, who dyed at
his house in June last, since he is daily troubled with
people who demand y e money of him . [The effects of
deceased ordered to be sold to pay charges.]
Ordered y l John Van Loon, late coroner of this citty;
deliver y e papers of Adrain van Ilpendam, notary publike,
deceased, to Robert Livingston, towne clerk, in order if
any persons are minded to have copies of those instruments
they may have them.
The last will and testament of Adrian Grerritse Papen-
dorp, in his life time burger and inhabitant of this city, is
brought into court by Johannes Abeel, and proved by y e
oaths of Jan Janse Bleeker and Johannes Lansing, wit-
nesses thereto, and his wife Jannetie Croon, therein named,
was approved to be heir and executrix to y e s d will.
Ordered yt ye will afores d be translated and recorded, and
she referred to his excellency Sir Edm. Andross, Cap 1 .
Gen. and Gov. in Cheeffe of his Majs. territory and domi-
nion of N. England, for further confirmation of y e probate
thereof.
The City Records. 95
June 5, 1688. Adam Vrooman doth petition y e com-
mon council y l whereas Rode y e Maquase sachem, for di-
verse considerations hath about three years agoe granted
him two flatts or plains upon both sides of y e Maquase
river above Hend. Cuyler's land, containing about eleven
morgen, w h said land he doth presume is included in ye
grant given to this citty and inserted in their charter
and therefore prays y l y e mayor, aldermen and commonality
would be pleased to grant him a conveyance for y e s d two
parcells of land lying neer ye stone house, so called by
y e Indians, as you goe to y e Maquase country, and 40 acres
of wood land adjoining them, which would be a convenient
settlement for y e s d Adam Yrooman, and is willing to pay
a small acknowledgement for y e same yearly. [The lands
were granted, consisting of sixty-two acres, for a yearly rent
of two bushels of winter wheat, conditioned that he should
build a small house on it and plow a part of the land the
next spring.]
Whereas Pr Schuyler and Rob 1 Livingston did stand
engaged to Capt. Andrew Bowne for ye somme of eighty-
three pounds fifteen shillings with y e interest a ten per
cent from y e 22d of July, 1686, which they now necessi-
tate to borrow, towards y e payment of ye charter, we
whose names are underwritten doe hereby engage to in-
demnify and bear harmless y e s d Rob 1 Livingston his heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns, from any damage
y l he might incur by paying of y e s (1 somme or any part
thereof; and whereas P r Schuyler mayor and Johannes
Cuyler one of y e assistants doe engage to satisfy and pay
Capt. Andrew Bowne y e s cl somme of 83 15s. with two
years interest, at ten per cent, we whose names are here-
unto subscribed doe for our selfs, our heirs, executors, ad-
ministrators and assigns, oblige our selfs to pay or cause to
be paid unto Mr. Pieter Schuyler, mayor, and Johannes
Cuyler, in y e space of a year after y e date hereof each of
us severally y e somme of seven pounds three shillings and
six pence, with our proportion of a year's interest, if y e s d
mayor shall have occasion to take up ye money to pay s d
Capt. Bowne, that is each a fourteenth part ; for y e pay-
ment of which, well and truly to be made, we bynde our
selfs our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and
96 The City Records.
every of them, firmly by these presents, as witness our
hands in Albany, ye 23 d day of July, 1688.
Signed by y e mayor, recorder, y e 6 aldermen, and 6
assistants.
December 4, 1688. Upon application of Dom Gode-
vridus Van Dell who gives y e court to understand y l by y e
testimony of divers antient inhabitants y e kings high way
went formerly to y e westward of y e great pasture by y e
Beverskill along Shermerhorns pasture and not over y e
same as y e open way between Shermerhorns pasture doth
sufficiently evidence doth therefore desyre y l y e high way
may be orderd to be as it was formerly where it may be
laid out very conveniently : or if y r worsps juge more
convenient y l the high way be kept throw y e pasture as
it has been admitted this last summer, then y e s d Dom
Dellius requests y l y e old highway which lyes without ye
pasture to witt from y e Beverskill or creek to y e end of
Shermerhorns pasture may be added to y e great pasture.
The mayor, recorder and aldermen doe juge it com-
modious and requisite, yea absolute necessary y* y e highway
be forever throw y e great pasture, and not where Dom Del-
lius alledges y e old path went formerly, and doe therefore
after mature consideration grant y l y e old highway from ye
Beverskill to y e end of Shermerhorns pasture be joyned to
y e great pasture, and y* whoever hereafter shall posess or
enjoy y e s d great pasture may freely inclose, keep and enjoy
y e s d old highway for ever, and Mr. Marte Gerritse one of
his majestys justices of y e peace, who joyns with s d pasture
declares y l he doth relinquish all claim and pretence which
he might or could pretend to y s s d highway for him and his
heirs for ever.
Att a Mayors Court &c., Dec. llth, 1688.
Dom e Gideon Schaets doth by Bennony Van Corlaer
produce into court y e last will and testament of his decased
wife, Barentie Hendricks, dated ye 26th Oct. 1688, whereun-
to were wittnesses Paulus Martense and John Harris, who
being called, declared upon oath that they see ye s d Barentie
The City Records. 97
Hendrickse in good and perfect memory and in sound under-
standing when she signd and sealed s d will. Ordered y l y e
s d will be translated and recorded accordingly.
Whereas divers complaints have been made concerning y e
bakers who sell there wheat bread at such dear rates, not
withstanding y e cheapness of y e corn. Ordered y l y e bakers
and whatever .persons who expose bread to sale in this city
doe take no more than one penny, half-penny or five stuyvers
zewant for a loaf of fine wheat bread, which must weigh one
pound English weight and y e same finenesse as hitherto they
have made, which order to continue for y e space of one whole
year after y e date hereof or further order.
It is further orderd y l no persone whatever presume to
cutt down any of y e townes old stockadoes till y e spring,
when new ones is to be putt in y e room, upon pain and
penalty often shillings.
Whereas great inconveniences and confusion doth arise
by divers persones assumeing to themselfs y e liberty to make
use of ye towne ladders for there owne occasion which were
made for y e citys use in time of need, in so much that verry
few are to be found in there places where they were first
ordained : It is therefore ordered by y e mayor and-aldermen
y l y e fyre masters doe inspect into y e condition of s d ladders
and fyrehooks y l they be in good condition and repare, and
y l in some convenient 'place of each ward there be at least
2 good ladders of 25 foot, and 2 of 15 foot with iron hooks,
fast to y e ladder and 2 fyrehooks which will make 12 ladders
and 6 hooks for y e 3 respective wards, and whatever ladders
or hooks shall be founde over and above y e s d number y e
fy remasters are to take care they be hung at y e church.
It is further orderd y l no person or persons whatever pre-
sume to take or use any of y e s d ladders without leave of
some one of*y e fyremasters for y e time being, upon y e for-
feiture of one shilling courant money of this provence, but
if he ask leave of any of y e fyremasters y e person using y e s d
ladder shall pay 2d. per diem.
It is ordered likewise y l y e constables, together . with
John Gow, Anthony Lespinard, Melgert Wynantse and
Hen d . Bries fyremasters for y e ensuing year, joyntly see ye
above s d orders put in execution and frequently visit the
Annals, ii. 9
98 The City Records.
houses and hearths of this city, if that they be without dan-
ger and sufficient and if any be founde deficient or there
chimneys fowle they shall pay as a fine y e somme of three
shillings courant money of this province.
At a Common Council, &c, Dec. 11, 1688.
The mayor, aldermen and commonality of y e city of Albany
having taken into consideration y e burger or small pakt
hath been paid by y e inhabitants of this towne time out of
mind towards y e defraying of y e publike charge thereof,
which s d packt or excise is continued by his excellency y e
gov r for y e space of two years, upon y e mayors and aldermen's
request; and whereas many frauds are committed by y e
merchants and inhabitants of this citty by selling their rom
and oy r liquor without acquainting ye towne treasurer there-
with, or using y e sworn porters to house y e same, it is there-
fore hereby ordered that no inhabitant of this city do pre-
sume to take or receive into their houses any rom, wyne,
beer, or other excysable liquor, above y e quantity of five
gallons, or that hath by y e antient custome of this citty lies
been liable to pay y e s d burger packt, without y e sworn por-
ters, and before they fetched a note of y e treasurer of this
city, of the quantity which they so have purchased, in order
yt y e excyse may be collected accordingly. And if any mer-
chant who shall receive rom in order to dispose of y e same,
shall refuse or deny to give an account to y e towne treasurer
how he hes disposed of his s d liquor, or who can not give a
just ace 1 thereof y e s c1 merch 1 or merch ts shall be lyable to
pay ye excyse for y e liquor whereof he can give no such ac-
compt. And in case any person is found to take or receive
any rom, wine or beer, or other excysable liquor into his
house without y e sworne porters or a note of y e tresurer,
they shall be lyable to pay ~as a fine to y e citty y e somme of
six shillings for each anker or tenn gallons which they so
shall take or receive into their houses or sellers as aforesaid.
It was also determined at this sitting to demand 18d
" courant money of this province" for the acknowledgement
of conveyances before the mayor, recorder or aldermen.
James Parker was allowed 50s. per annum as marshal.
The will of Carsten Frederikse was produced by his widow
The' City Records. 99
Tryntie Warners, and proved by Evert Janse, the other
witness, Stoffell Janse, being dead.
Att a mayors Court &c., Jan. 15, 1689.
Anthony Lespiaard was appointed by y e mayor and
aldermen to be viewer of corn in this citty, and took his
oath accordingly, and is to have for each time he is desyred
to view y e same 9 d if y e corn be good of his y l receives,
and if bad or not merchandable by y l delivers.
Forasmuch as it is thoug' convenient y< y e stockadoes be
removed from y e place where they now lye and planted
rounde this city where y e old stood, and since it can not
well be effected without due order be taken y 1 an equal
division be made of y e proportion, and every person ac-
quainted where there stockadoes ought to be putt up and
from whence they are to fetch them. It is therefore orderd
by y e mayor and aldermen of this city yt y e assistants doe
make a dividend of y e new stockadoes : how many rodd
every person according to there ability should putt up and
from whence they are to bring them where it is nearest
and most convenient, beginning at y e place y l is open
between Dirk Dragoons and y e point, and so round north-
ward as far as y e said new stockadoes will reach ; all which
are to be putt up in y e space of a month after y e date
hereof.
Acturn in Albany ye 6th day of March 1689.
By the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of y e City
of Albanie, and y e justices of y e peace of y e County
afores d , the 21st day of May, 1689.
Present the mayor, recorder, all the aldermen and as-
sistants, justices, Rob 1 Sanders and Abr. Schuyler.
Whereas the selling and giving of strong drinke to y e
Indians at, this present juncture is founde by experience
not only inconvenient but extream dangerous insomuch
yt ye greatest part of y e traders and inhabitants of this
100 The City Records.
city have made their application to us, y l it may strikly
forbidd, since y e Indians by their excessive drinking are
so insolent and troublesome y 1 nothing but y e greatest
mischeeffs and calamities can be expected if not prevented
we doe therefore hereby strickly prohibite and discharge
all y* inhabitants of y e citty and county of Albany to sell
or give any rom, brandy, or strong liquor, beer or cyder,
to any Indian or Indians, upon any pretence whatsoever,
upon y e penalty of five pounds, toties quoties, and because
it has been founde by experience y l it will almost be im-
possible to make discovery of y e breach of this order by
y e ordinary method of probation in regard y e same will
be managed with so much secrecy as none will be privy
thereto but y e delinquents themselves, or Indians whose
testimonys are not held valid of law, for y e discovery
therefore of such secret and dangerous practices we doe
hereby order and declare y l upon information made to y e
mayor, recorder, aldermen, or justices of y e peace, by any
Christian Indian or Indians against any person or persons
whatsoever, of y e breach of this order, the said magistrate
or justice of y e peace shall issue out his warrant, requir-
ing him forthwith to come before him ; then and there
if he can upon his oath so purge himselfe of such accusation
as aforesaid, which if such person shall refuse to doe,
y e matter of fact in y e accusation contained shall be taken
for granted, and y e s d magistrate or justice of y e peace
shall forthwith issue out execution to y e sheriff or any
constable to levy y e fine and charges by distress upon y e
offenders goods and chatties without any further procese
or tryall, always provided y 1 it shall be in y e power of y e
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of y e s d city, if they see
cause to give or dispose of any small quantity of rom to
some particular Sachims, who come here upon publike
bussinsse any prohibition aboves d in any manner notwith-
standing. The said fyne to be disposed of as follows vizt :
y e one half or moyety for y e high sherriffe of y e . county
for y e time being if he informs, and y e other half for y e
mayor, aldermen and commonalty afors d , and* if y e s d
sheriffe doth not inform, he is to have y e quarter part and
y e informer ye half and y e citty y e other quarter part.
The City Records. 101
Whereas we are informed y* one Dubison is intended to
transport himself and family to Canida, being suspected to
have kept a secret correspondence with y e French there,
and it being juged dangerous to suffer such a percon to live
at Sarachtoge or any place of this county at this juncture
of time where he may have conveniency to keep such a
correspondence. You are therefore hereby required in his
majestys name to bring y e s d Dubison and family forth-
with here, in order that they may be secured from any
such dangerous designs, in doing whereof this shall be your
sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and seal in
Albany ye 14th of June, 1689.
To Anthony Van Shaik, Constable of y e Halfmoon.
Albany ye first day of July, 1689.
The proclamation for proclaimeing there majesty, king
William and queen Mary king and queen of England,
France and Ireland, &a being brought hither from N.
York immediately upon y e receit thereof, y e mayor and
recorder caused y e court of aldermen and common councile
to assemble, who attended accordingly and hayeing con-
sidered of y e greatest solemnity y l could be used in so
short a time appointed y e cittizens to be in arms abut 12
o'clock, which haveing done they went in order from y e
city hall up to where there majestys were proclaimed in
solemn manner in English and Dutch ; y e guns fyreing
from y e fort and volley of small arms; y e people with
loud acllamations crying God save king W m . and queen
Mary. Afterwards they marched down to y e city hall
where there majestys .were again proclaimed. Y e night
concluded with y e ringing of y e bell, bone fyres, fyre
works and all other demonstrations of joy.
Aug. 13, 1689. The peticons of Adam Vrooman and
Pr. Van Olinda, Robert Sanders and Claes Lawrence Van
Purmurent being read in court, who request for parcells of
land in Tionondoroge, belonging to y e city, which the court
will consider of.
102 The City Records.
A Proclamation ly the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty
of the City of Albany.
Whereas by these late revolutions diverse persons have
taken the freedom to fetch Indians with their packs into
their houses, and to be so troublesome and importune to
y e heathens, that they have complained they could not eate
their vietualls quietly, which is contrare to the wholesome
laws and orders made by this city for y e regulation of y e
Indian trade ; we doe therefore hereby, in y e name of
there maj es , King William and Qaeen Mary, publish and
declare that no person or persons whatsoever, within this
city, shall upon y e arrivall of any Indian or Indians address
themselfs to speake to them of and concerning trade, nor
shall entice them either within or without y e gates of y e s d
citty, by signs or otherwise, howsoever, to trade with
themselfs or any other persones, upon payne and penalty
of paying for each offence, if committed without y e gates
of y e s d citty; y e somme of three pounds, if within ye
same y e somme of six shillings only ; which fine is to be
for y e behooffe of such person as shall sue for the same.
That no person or persons whatsoever -within this citty
shall presume to take any Indian or Indians into there
houses with pack or packs of beaver or peltry, and so
trade them, upon penalty of paying as a fine for such offence
30 shillings, and y e Indian or Indians with said packs im-
mediately to depart out of y e house without trading, di-
rectly or indirectly. That no person or persons whatever
within this city shall send out or make use of any breakers
whether Christians or Indians, in y e management of y e Indian
trade upon payn and penalty of paying as a fine for each
offence y e somme of five pounds, onernoyety thereof for y e use
of mayor, aldermen and commonality of y e s d city, and y e
other moyety to such person as shall sue for y e same.
That no person or persons whatsoever within this city
shall trade for or receive any beavers, peltry, or other
Indian commodities from any Indian or Indians, after y e
ringing of y e bell at eight of y e clock on y e night, upon
payn and penalty of forfeiting such commodities so traded
for and received as afores d , two third parts to y e use of
y e mayor, aldermen and commonalty of y e s d citty, and
The City Records. 103
y e other third part to y e use of such person as shall sue
for y e same. That no person or persons whatsoever
within this city doe presume to trade or traffique with, or
by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, entice
any Indians so to doe upon y e sabbath day, upon pain
and penalty of forfeiting such goods so traded for as
afores d , as also on payne and penalty of paying as a fine
for such offence, y e somme of forty shillings to y e use of
such person as shall sue for y e same. Actum in Albany
y e 13th day of August, in y e first year of y e reign of
William and Mary, king and queen of England, France
and Ireland, defender of ye faith, A 1689.
Resolved, y l y e fall waters on y e Bevers kill or creek,
where Melgert Wynants intends to erect a saw mill, be
sold to y e deakons of y e Netherdutch church for y e somme
of 25, to pay for y e maintenance of Dicke Jan Cornelise,
one of y e poor belonging to this county.
Sept. 29, 1689. The common council being convened
to give their votes for a treasurer for this citty for y e en-
suing year, doe by plurality of voyces choose Mr. Jan
Becker.
Albany ye 14th day of Oct., 1689.
This day being appointed by y e charter of this city for
y e aldermen of y e respective wards to bring there returns
of y e aldermen chosen for y e ensuing year, which were
Johannes Wendel, Levinus van Schack, for y e 1st ward.
Claes Ripse van Dam, Jan Jansz Bleeker, for y e 2d
ward.
David Schuyler, Albert Ryekman, for y e 3d ward.
The assistants chosen for this year were
Reynier Barents, Evert Banker, for y e 1st ward.
Johannes Cuyler, Jan Nack, for y e 2d ward.
Ger 1 Ryerse, Eghbert Teunise, 3d ward.
Y e constables were Pr. Boss, for y e 1st ward ; Joh. Appel,
for y e 2d ; Gert. van Ness, for y e 3d. Phill. Foreest was
sworne high constable.
This day being the 14th of Oct., 1689, Cap 1 Thomas,
commander of there majjestys fort of Albany, took y e oath
of fidelity to there majestys king W ra> and Q. Mary.
104 The City Records.
Albany, 29h of Oct., 1689.
Zacharias Sickells, ratel man desyres he may have payment
of 123 g 1 wampum, which is due to him for his service as
ratel watch. Ordered y l y e sergents make ye division of y e
inhabitants, and y e constables to collect s d money.
Whereas wee are informed y l y e watch of this citty is
so irregularly kept that few or none of y e inhabitants of
this city doe appear upon y e guard when it is there turn,
which of necessity must be occasioned by y e remisseness, con-
nivance and neglience of y e commission" officers, whose duty
it is to see y e orders concerning y e setleing of y e guarde
of this city putt into execution, particularly y e order made
by y e court martial y e 28th of November last, by which
mean& the city is in eminent danger and many dissasters,
calamities, mischeefs and confusion might ensue.
And since it is a duty incumbent upon us to see y l good
watch and orders be kept in this city, and to use all possible
means y r y e same may be effected, we doe therefore in there
majestys name, king W mt and queen Mary, require y 1 y e
commission officers of this city doe take especial care that
y e s d order of y e court marshall here unto annexed, be putt
into execution, which is so easy for y e people y l none but
enemies to y e peace, wellfare and tranquillity of this, jbhere
majestys city, can refuse } and therefore you are hereby en-
joyned to cause y e s d four men of each comp. to be warned
to attend y e watch ; which if they shall refuse, neglect and
not appear according to order, y l then you see they pay y e
fine or be punished for y e said offence according to y e rules
and methods usual in this city. And if we shall hereafter
fynde y* y e guarde be not kept according to y e s d orders, we
declare we shall be necessitate to take other measures y l so
such a great neglect may not be imputed to us orlye at our
door since the preservation and peace of there majestys city
as it hath hitherto been, so it is still our principall aim and
desyre.
And whereas there hes been severall orders given from
time to time, to Cap 1 Wendel and Capt Bleeker to compleat
y e works about y e city which fell to there share, which
still is left undone, and not knowing how soon wee may
have occasion for y e same, we doe in an especiall manner
The City Eecords. 105
desyre and require that they may withall speed call there
people together and perfect, and coinpleat said works accord-
ing to there proportion, yt so we may be in a capacity to resist
an enemy if they should make any attaque, which God forbid.
Given under our hand and seal. Albany y e 28th day of
Dec., 1689. -^ ,,
PR. SCHUYLER, Mayor.
In the year 1690 ye 14th of Oct., when Jacob Lysler had
usurped y e gov 1 the following persons were chosen aldermen :
John Becker, Evret Banker, John Bleeker, Claes Ripse,
Ger 1 Eyerse, Eghbert Teunise.
Assistants, Johannes de Wandelaer, Hend d van Dyck,
Luykas Gerritse, P r Davidtse, Joh. Abeell, Ger* van Ness.
Att a Common Councill &c. 7th Nov., 1689.
The common council of this city being called by y e mayor
to consult of business relating to y e welfare of this citty,
Jan. Nack, trader and gunstokmaker, one of y e assistants of
this citty, being sent for by y e mayor, y e s d Jan Nack ans-
wers to y e marshall y l went for him as follows : " Neen wat
meenje ick ben voor een gatt niet gevangen, sail ick gaan
teykenen voor dat volk dat Leijslers volk te gemoet sail gaen."
Waerop d marshall seyde, " Wilt gy d mayor nied ghehoor-
saeme wanneer "hy u ontbiedt f " * Hy antw., " Wat pratje
nu van de mayor ; isser eens na court well gehouden, weet
gy weel wateer to doen is : myn heele wyck seggen al te mael
behalve 4 dat zy cost genoegh hebben voor Leyslers volk dat
boven comt." Waerop d marshall seyde vorders, " Ben gy
geen common councill man?" " Jae" seyde hy, " als volk
hier was" meenend sd JV. Yorkse comp e dan soude hy comen. 1
Jan Nack* by y e perswasion of Joh. Cuyler and Reynier
Barents, assistants, being came to y e common council who
1 The English of this is as follows : No ! What do you mean ? I
am not to be caught in a trap. Shall I go and sign for those peo-
ple who are going out to meet Leysler's men? Whereupon the
marshal said. Will you not obey the summons of the mayor ?
He answered, what do you prate about the mayor! Has there
been any court holden? Do you know what is going on? My
whole ward except four insist that they have provisions enough
106 The City Records.
acknowledges to have give y e answer as y e marshall did
relate, and moreover says y l he acknowledges one Capt.
Jacob Leysler to be his head, who is chosen by N. York to
be y e commander in cheefe. Jan Nack was forgiven this
fault, promising to comporte himself better for y e future.
[Information of the accession of William and Mary to the throne
of England, reached Albany July 1, 1689, when they were imme-
diately proclaimed by the magistrates and people, with the custom-
ary ceremonies (see p. 101) Jacob Leisler, a New York merchant,
had previously assumed the government of the colony ; but his
authority was decidedly opposed by the magistrates of Albany,
and his efforts to extend his rule over this city were so vigorously
and judiciously resisted, that he only partially succeeded. During
these distractions the French made their memorable descent upon
Schenectady. There is a gap in the minutes of common council
of nearly two years, the period of the troubles that grew out of
this usurpation. The records are partially lost, no doubt, for
besides the general confusion, Mr. Livingston, the clerk, was a
fugitive. What remain of them are bound up in a book of mort-'
gages in the county clerk's office, where they were found by Dr.
O'Callaghan, and such as were written in Dutch translated, and the
whole printed in the Documentary History, n, 80-178, from whence
they are copied into this work.]
At a Convention of y e May r Aldermen Commonalty Justices
of y e Peace and Military officers of y e Citty and County
of Albany on y e first day of August and y e first year of
y 6 Reign of our Souveraign Lord & Lady William &
Mary King & queen of Engl : France & Ireland &c 1689 :
Present, P r Schuyler May r , Dirk Wessels Rec r , J.
Wendel, Lievs Van Schaick, J. Bleeker, Jan Lansing,
Albt Ryckman, David Schuyler, Reynier Barentse, Ev.
Banker, J. Beekman, Jochim Staets, Jan Abel, Capt.
Marte Gerritse, Kil : v : Renselaer.
Resolved that all public affares for the Preservation of
there Majesties Intrest in this Citty be managed by y e
for Leisler's party that are coming up. The marshal demanded
again, Are you not a common councilman ? Yes, said he, when
the people (meaning the New York Company) are here, then he
would come.
At this time fifty soldiers under Milborne were on the way from
New York to take possession in Leisler's name, and Jan Nack seems
to have been the only member of the council in Leisler's interest.
The City Records. 107
Mayor aldermen Justices of y e Peace Commission officers
and assistants of this Citty and County, untill such time as
orders shall come from there most Sacred Majesties William
& Mary king & queen of England fr : & Irland & Defenders
of y e faith
Resolved since there is news of warr between England &
France y l y e gentlemen now mett at this Convention doe
each bring a gunn with J Ib of Pouder and Bale equivalent
to be hung up in y e church in y e space of three days & y*
y e Traders and oy r Inhabitants be Perswaded to doe y e same
to make up y e number of 50 to be made use off upon occasion
That ye Troopers bring 200 Slabbs from y 6 mill of Wynant
Grerritse to make a Point behinde David Schuylers
.Warrant to fetch Lafleur &c from Sarachtoge. Present:
P' Schuyler, J. Wendel, D. Schuyler, Alb' Ryckman,
J. Abeel, D. Wessells, Lev. V Schaick, J. Bleeker, Evert
Banker, Capt Sharpe.
Whereas itt is thought Convenient y l at this Juncture of
time the french y l live towards Sarachtoge shall be Removed .
from thence to Remoove all suspicion which People now
have, It is therefore y e opinion of y e Justices of y e Peace of
this County y l Lafleur and Villeroy & De la Fortune three
frenchmen that live to y e northward of this Citty towards y e
Stilwater & Sarachtoge be forthwith brought hither and
Examined, anent such Transactions of Keeping Correspond-
ence and Conveying letters to y e french at Canida. Yow
are therefore hereby Required in his Majisties Name forth-
with to Repare to Sarachtoge and bring y e said Lafleur,
Villeroy and Delafortune here to Albany before his Majisties
Justices of y e Peace to be Examined & treated as y e Exigency
of y e Case Shall Require in doeing whereof this shall be y e
Sufficient Warrant and all persons are hereby Required to
be aiding and assisting to yow, Actum in Albany the first
day of August 1689.
10 Aug. 1689. Lafleur, Villeroy, & Francois three french
men from Sarachtoge being sent for to be examined concern-
ing keeping a Correspondence with them of Canida upon
which was Resolved To Confine La Fleur to y e Chamber of
108 The City Records.
Arnout Cornelise till ye witnesses come from Sarachtoge to be
further examind
And y 1 Villeroy stay in Toune till further order
At a convention &c., Albany 5th day of August 1689,
Present as before.
Upon a Rumor brougt to day by four Skachkook Indians
that an army of French & Indians were Seen on this Side
of y e Lake, Lief 1 Rob 1 Sanders was sent thither with 17 men
to make Discovery, which was found to be false
Whereas we are Informed upon oath thatt Anthony Les-
pinard, Jdhn Van Loon, Renne Poupor, alias Lafleur, and
Villeroy, foure frenchmen have last winter endevored to
entice some souldiers of his Majesties garrison of Albany to
Runn away to Canida & Desert his Majesties service by
Professing to furnish them with Provisions Ammunition,
make them sleds shoos, & all oy r necessaries for their journey,
by all which means they wholly Designed to weaken y e force
of this Place, & undoubtedly by y l means of such souldiers
goeing to Canida Convey letters & keep some private Cor-
respondence with the french there which hath long been
.suspected It is therefore thought fitt by y e magistrates of
y e Citty of Albany Justices of y e Peace & militia officers of
y e s d County who considering how dangerous such suspected
persohes are in this juncture of time y 1 y e s d Anthony Les-
pinard John Van Loon Renne Poupard and Villeroy be
secured in his Majesties fort at albany till further order
and till such time the Bussinesse can be further Inspected
and Examined, actum in albany y e 5th of aug. 1689
By ord of y e Magest r : of albany Justices
of y e Peace & Military officers &c
ROBERT LIVINGSTON Clerk
Anth Lespinard haveing heard y e Depositions read in
open court Confesses y l y e s d John Sage & William Boyen
came to him for bread and for french money to goe to Canida
advised them to y e Contrary y l they should not goe to Canida
but for it was a very Poor Place & shortly after he went to
Boston
John Van Loon Confesses y 1 he knew somewhat of there
Design but advised them not to goe, for when he made an
The City Records. 109
ax for John Sage and when he saw Wm Boyen come back
again from Sarachtoge & asked for John Sage at his house ,
then he see some Rogguerey in there mind and yt they had
concluded to Runn away & further y l he told Maj. Baxter
y l John Sage designed to run away
Villeroy haveing heard y e Depositions of Wm Boyen and
and Cornelia Vroman read in open Court said y l John Sage
desired him to make a paire of snow shoes last winter but
he Replyed had no leather, who told him to take barke
of Trees yet he Promised to make y e s cl John Sage a pare
but knew not of any design he had of running away. Item
yt Will : Boyen asked him at Sarachtoge for y e snow shoos
who replyed he had no time to make them, but when he
was removed to his little house he would may be make them.
Whereupon Mathys said doe not make them, who knows
what ill Design they may have may be they will Run away
& then y e will come into a Prirnmenary
Lafleur haveing heard y e s d Depositions Read in open Court
s d y l a Souldier called John Sage spoke to him for a canoe to
goe to Canida withall last fall, and whether he could procure
such a one upon which-Lafleur replyed upon what Condition
he went and whether he would get a passe y e s d Sage an-
swered he would get a Passe of Maj. Baxter then Lafleur
replyed there may be probably a Canoe to be had, and fur-
ther y e s d Sage met y e s cl Lafleur a Pretty while after here
in y e street in Albany who asked Lafleur if he had been
mindefull of what he had spoke to him, & whether he could
not procure or make him a slee since it was to late for a Canoe,
& also whether he had Bread for him, whereupon Lafleur
said no, and whether La Sage had gott a Passe he spoke of,
for without y l he would neither help him to slee Bread nor
nothing else nor not see him Passe by his house.
Item yt ye s cl Wm Boyen had discourse with De Chene
at his house att y e Stillwater & y l La Sage had sent a kitte
to Dechene.
By the Justices ofy* Peace of y e Citty & County of Albany
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas we are credibly informed y l diverse persones upon
y e late news of y e approach of y e french and there Indians
Annals ii. 10
110 The City Eecords.
are makeing Preparation to Transport themselfs out of this
County by which means and bad Example of such Timerous
and Cowardly People others will be Discouraged to stay and
Defend there Majesties Intrest in this Frontier part of y e
Province, and Forasmuch there is no setled government for
y e p'sent in this Province, and that thereby it is a duty
Incumbent upon us to Prevent any Danger and Inconven-
ience yt might happen y e Inhabitants of our County which
may arise by suffering men to Depart y 1 are able to do there
Majesties service if any attempt should be made wee There-
fore doe hereby Declare That no Person or Persones (except
masters of sloops & Boats) being fit & able to bear arms who
have been setled or liveing in this County for these six
monthes last past shall in ye space of three monthes Presume
to Depart or absent themsels out of this County of albany
whither they are under y e Roll or List of y e Respective
Capt 113 or not without a Passe from one Justice of ye Peace
of this County upon ye Penalty to be Esteemed Pursued &
followed after as fugitives Cowards Runnaways & Vagabonds,
& as such to be Prosecuted by y e utmost Severity of y e Law,
& y l all People take notice thereof accordingly. Given at y e
Citty hall of Albany ye 7th day of august 1689 in ye first
year of there Majesties Reign
10th August, 1689. A Peticon of ye wife of Villeray De-
livered to y e Court whereby she Prays y l her husband may
be released from his Confinem 1 or at least to be sett free upon
security to answer when he shall be called for who
being brougt before ye Court Insists much for his Release-
ment & Tenders P. Van Wriaglum & Dirk Vanderheyden
for his security
The Court doe acccept of y e s d Securities and that they
give Bonde of one hundred Pounds y l Villeray shall be
forthcomeing when Demanded
13 th August, 1689. A Peticon of Anth Lespinard Jan
Van Loon and Lafleur being read whereby they request that
there Bussiness may be inspected into & examind that they
may make there Defence & so be cleared if Innocent else Pun-
ished if guilty.
The City Records. Ill
Upon which it was considered by y e Magistrates Justices
of the Peace Commission officers & Common Council y l y e s d
three Prisoners be bayled out of y e fort giving security each
one hundred Pounds to answer when they shall be called.
Provided they doe not goe above y e Citty of Albany til such
time y e Case be Decided
At a Convention &c albany y e 21 of august 1689. Present :
P. Schuyler May r , D. Wessells Record 1 ", J Wendel, J
Bleeker, J Lansing, Dav. Schuyler, Albt Ryckman,
Reynier Barentse, Ev. Banker, Is : Verplank, Joh. Beek-
man, J Mingael, Capt. Jochim Staets, Robt. Sanders.
Resolved to acquaint y e Inhabitants of y e County ye news
yt we received of Col. Pynchen.
That Pemmaquid was taken by y e Indians and french 45
People kild & taken also that there should be a ship be
come to Quebek of y e french with news of wars Between
Engl d & france & therefore nothing can be Expected but y*
y e french will doe all y e mischieffe they can to this governm*
& therefore every one to be upon there guarde & take care
they be not surprized.
Mr. Wessells and Reynier Barentse were Desyned to
Communicate this to the farmers of Kinderhook & Clave-
rack Capt Wendel & John Lansing the People above
Rich' 3 Pretty & Evert Banker at Skenechtady & Canastagione.
24 August, 1689. Resolved that ye Inhabitants of ye
County be Informed of y e alarm which was last night at y e
Green Bush occasioned by some Malitious Persones fyreing
of severall gunns w th Baale throw y e Door and house of
John Witment which was done by letters accordingly
28 August, 1689. Resolved yt Barent Geritse of Beth-
lehem who is suspected to have a hand in y e late disturbance
y l was at Green Bush, or least Privy to it y 1 he give 50
security to answer when he shall be called for to be Ex-
amined about yt Bussinesse
112 The City Records.
[Translation.] '
Answer of the Magistrates and Justices of the Peace to the
Onnondage ambassador who is sent from the Onnondages
with the news from Canada. Albany, ye 28 Augusti
1689.
1. We heartily thank the Brethren for the news they
send us from Canada, though we have received the news by
the Islands of the great victory the English obtained over
the French in burning and sinking sixteen big ships and cap-
turing 12 others, each ship being of 60 guns and 400 men ;
which captured ships the English convey home as you do your
prisoners; and therefore our vessels are so long delayed
coming because they meet french men of war and fight with
them.
2. We lament the death of the brave warriors who were
slain in the last battle with the french above mont Royall
but rejoice at the great victory gained by you over them,
which we recommend you to follow up and not be imposed
on by the idle and nonsensical speeches of the Governor of
Canada and not to trust any of his ambassadors, for you
have experienced his falsehood when he kidnapped so many
of your warriors, and promised last harvest to Canadgegai
that they should return in summer ; but we hear that 5 ships
have come but do not hear of one Indian in them.
3. We hope the Brothers will follow up their victory
without delay as we perceive the Governor of Canada is now
in distress, and would be very glad that you should now
make some delay, that he may ship his bait again to cheat
the Brothers. Have therefore a keen open eye on the
motions of the French and warn us, as we shall warn you ;
and we hope to see within 30 or 40 days some of the Sa-
chems and Chief Warriors here whose feet shall be well
g reased ' Pr order
ROBT LIVINGSTON.
1st September, 1689. Harme Janse Van Bommel brings
news y l our Indians have taken 5 Praying Canida Indians
upon y e Lake who were bound hither to doe mischeeffe, &
y 1 severall french were seen upon y e Lake
The City Records. 113
Upon which Capt Wendel & 6 men were ordered to goe
to Sarachtoge to examine s d 5 Indians & to make enquiry of
affares there
Att a Meeting of the May Aldermen and Justices of y e
Peace of y e Citty and County of Albany ye 2 d Day of
Sept A 1689. Present : P. Schuyler May, Dirk. Wessels
Recd r , John Wendel, Jan Janse Bleeker, AlbtRyckman,
David Schuyler, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Capt. Marte
Gerritse.
The Maquase Desyre by Arnouts Letter that the Magis-
trates of Albany and Shinnechtady would be pleased to assist
them with two or three pare of horses & 5 or 6 men to Ride
the heaviest Stockadoes for there new Castle of Tionondage
which they remove an English mile higher up & they will
pay for it in due time
Which Request y e Court are willing to Comply withall to
shew there good Inclination and true friendship they bear to
ye s d nation have Consented that three pare of horses & six
men goe thither
Vizt of y e Troopers Jacob Lockermans of Capt Bleekers
Company Dirk Albertse Bradt & W u Hendricks 6 who did
voluntarily p'sent there service. The Patroon a horse.
Cap 1 Gerritse a horse. Off Capt Wendells Company Hen-
drick Gerritse & Cornelis Slingerlant; & Hans Cross w th 2
horses.
3d Sept. 1689. Resolved by ye Civill & Military officers of
y e Citty & County y l y e Bastions & Curtain es about the
Citty be made & Repaired with al speed by y e Several Di-
visions of y e Companies & y l y e gates be Repaired; And y l
To morrow there be a full Convention
Att a Convention &c at y e Citty Hall y e 4 th day of Septemb r
in y e First year of y e Reign of our souveraign Lord and
Lady King William and Queen Mary of Eng 1 France &
Ireland &a Defenders of y e Faith A 1689. Present : P.
Schuyler May, Dirk Wessels Rec dr , Capt John Wendel,
Capt Jan Janse Bleeker, Jan Lansing, David Schuyler,
Albt Ryckman, [aldermen ; ] Joh. Abeel, Evert Banker,
Isak Verplank, Joh : Beekman, Assistents : Dirk Teu-
114 The City Records.
nise, Capt Mar. Gerritse, Capt Sander glen, Justices;
Capt Gerrit Teunise, Lieut Evert d Bidder, Lieu 1 Jan
van Eps, Ens. Job : Sanders.
Eesolved Since there is such Eminent Danger threatened
by y e French of Canida and there Praying Indians to come
into this County to kill and Destroy there Majesties Subjects
that there be immediately an Express sent doune to Capt.
Leysler and y e Rest of y e Militia officers of y e Citty and
County of New Yorke for assistance of one hundred men or
more for y e secureing of there Majesties Fort and y e out
Plantations of this County as also a Recruite of six hundred
weight of Pouder and foure hundred Bale Viz : 200 Two
Pounders and 200 four Pounders with some match & one
hundred hand granadoes out of there Majesties Stores and
Two hundred Pounds out of there Majesties Revenue which
we understand is dayly collected by them for to employ y e
Maquase and other Indians in there Majesties service for y e
Securing ye frontier Parts of this County from any Incur-
sions of s d Indians or French.
Resolved y l y e floor of y e Stone Point in ye fort be Raised
with new Planks and Timber and y e Portholes altered &
made fitt for Defence.
Upon y e news y* three people should be kild at Bartel
Vromans at Sarachtoge by y e Indians.
Resolved by ye Convention y l Leift Jochim Staets forwith
goe with ten men to Sarachtoge to see how y e matter is, &
bring us an accompt with y e first, & y l he send a post hither
with y e tideings.
Resolved by y e Convention y l Rob 1 Sanders & Eghbert
Teunise forthwith goe to Sarachtoge to lye there till further
order, whither any mischeefe be done there or nott, & y*
they goe themselfs with s d Indians to Sarachtoge where
Lieft Jochim Staets will stay there Comeing & if Eghbert
be not at y e farm y l he take anoy r whom he shall think Con-
venient.
Resolved that there be 400 Stockadoes Rid for the Citty,
to be set up in y e Room of y e old Stockadoes & y l y e Troopers
bring 100, Capt Blekers Come 160, Capt Wendels 160, and
sett them up according to y e Division.
Major Savage Capt Belsher & Capt Jonathan Bull agents
for y e 3 Collonies of n : England Desyre y l this Convention
The City Eecords. 115
would Depute three or foure Gent n to have a Conference
with them what will be Requisite to Propose to y e Indians
Resolved y* y e Mayor Recorder Capt Wen del Capt Bleeker
Capt Gerritse & Mr. Livingston doe meet y e gentlemen this
afternoon & advise them in y* matter
Resolved that there be a fort made about y e house of
Bartel Vroman at Sarachtoge & Twelve men Raised out of
y e Two Companies of y e Citty & 2 Companies of y e County
to Lye there upon pay who are to have 12 d a day besides
Provisions and some Indians of Skachkook to be there with
them to goe out as skouts in y l Part of y e County.
Resolved that y e fort at y e Halfmoon about y e house &
barne of harme Lievese be Removed to a more Convenient
Place & y e Mayor & M r Evert Banker to goe thither & see
it effected.
Resolved that there be a fort made at Paepsknee in y e
most Convenient Place, & y l Melgert abrah : Claes van
Patten, Marte Cornells, Gerrit Gysbertsen & y- 6 Inhabitants
of Paepsknee make y e same for there security to retreat
into upon occasion & that Albt Ryckman and John Beekman
see it effected.
Resolved that there be a fort made at Betlehem in the
most Convenient Place, and y* the inhabitans of Betlehem
make y e same for there oune security to Retreat unto upon
occasion, & Albert Ryckman Justice of y e Peace & Johannes
Beekman to see it done.
Resolved that Capt. Gerrit Teunise and y e Commission
officers of his Company doe order a fort to be made att y e
Groot Stuk and one at Pompoenik where it shall be thought
most convenient since y e fort about y e Barn of Lawrence
Van Ale is judged Dangerous except y e Bergh with Corn
be removed all which is for y e Peoples most security, & that
y e People of Patcook doe make there Retreat to Johannes
Bensings upon occasion & what y e s d Capt and officers shall
doe herein ye Inhabitants there are to submitt too upon there
Perrills
Understanding by y e Commission officers of Schennectady
that there is no settlement there how or what way they are
to Behave themselfs if y e enemy should come, since they
cannot agree amongst themselves in y l particular.
Resolved that M r Dirk Wessells and Cap 1 Johannes
Wetidel Justices of y e Peace goe thither & Conveen y e Com-
lib The City Records.
pany togeather & consult what measures they are to take
upon occasion if an enemy should come, to y e end there may
be unity in such extremityes, & y e Inhabitants there are
ordered to submitt to what y e s d gentlemen & y e head officers
of there Toune shall Conclude upon, upon there oun Perrill
Resolved since we have Received Certain Information of
some Praying Canida Indians lately taken by our Maquase
that y e french Design to send out there Indians and french
to kill and Destroy there Maj ts Subjects of this County that
Dirk Teunise Esq r one of there Maj ts Justices of the Peace
goe to ye County of Ulster for y e assistance of 25 or 30 men
to be Ready upon occasion if any attaque or Incursion should
be made on y e frontiers of this County for to secure & de-
fend there Maj ts Interest here who is Impowered to dis-
course with ye Civill and Military officers of y* County about
y e p'mises. _
Att a Convention &c., llth g ept . 1689 ; Present, P. Schuyler
May', D. Wessells RecoV, Capt Wendel, Capt Bleeker,
Levinus Van Shaik, Killian van Renselaer, Leift Jochem
Staets, Leift Robt Sanders, Capt gerrit Teunise.
List of men who have taken service to serve there Maj te
& y e Countrey upon the frontiers of there maj ts County of
Albany who are to have 12 d p r diem and Provisions except
Claes Rust who is to have y e Command & is to have 18 d pr
diem who had Instructions given him accordingly.
of Capt Wendels Compe Claes Rust
gerrit Luy kasse
Jellis funda
of Capt Bleekers Comp e Johannes Rutjers
Rutjer Teunise
of y e Troop Frank Salisbury
of Capt g: Teunise Comp e Joh: gerritse Yan Yechten
Teunise dirkse Yan Yechten
Lamb 1 Jochimes
Manuel .Cansalis
off Capt gerritse Comp e Johannes Janse ouderkirk
Joseph Janse
By y e Mayor aldermen and Commonality of
y e Citty of Albany and y e Justices of y e
Peace of y e County aforesaid
The City Records. 117
Whereas the selling and giving of strong Drink toy 6 Indians
at this present juncture is founde by experience Extream
Dangerous insomuch y l diverse Inhbitaants at Shennectady
and Elsewhere have made there Complaint that there is
no living if y e Indians be not kept from Drinke. Wee
doe therefore hereby strikly Prohibite & forbid in the
name of King William & queen Mary y l no Inhabitants
of the Citty and county of Albany doe sell or give any
Rom Brandy Strong Liquor or Beer to any Indian or
Indians upon any pretence whatsoever upon y e Penalty of
Two monthes Imprisonement without Baile or main prise &
moreover a fine of five Pound toties quoties, y e Prooffe hereof
to be made as is Incerted in y e Proclamation Prohibiting y e
Selling of Strong Drink dated ye 21<h day of May 1689
which is by Proof or Purgation by oath, always Provided y l
it shall and may be in y e power of y e Mayor aldermen &
Commonality of y e s d Citty if they see cause to give any srnal
quality of Rom to any Sachims who come here about Publick
Bussinesse any Prohibiton above sd in any manner notwith-
standing, given att y e Citty hall of Albany y e 12 day of
Septernb-- 1689
pr Ord r ROBT LIVINGSTON Clk
Att a Convention &c. Sept 17 lh 1689
Present, all the members heretofore mentioned.
The Messenger Johannes Becker who was sent Expresse to
N. Yorke with a letter to Capt Leysler and y e Rest of y e
Military officers of y e Citty & County of N : York according
to y e Resolution of this Convention y e 4 th of this Instant
being Returned was sent for and asked whither he had De-
livered ye Letter as it was Directed and if he had Received
any answer from s d Leysler to y e gent'- 1 that had sent him
who answered that he had delivered y e Letter to Capt.
Leysler but had no letter in answer but thatt Directed to
Capt Wendel and Capt Bleeker and y* he further heard
Capt. Leysler say, yt he had nothing to doe w th y e Civill
Power he was a Souldier and would write to a Souldier.
Resolved since Capt Leysler and y e Military officers of y e
Citty and county of N : Yorke have not been Pleased to
Return y e Least answer to y e Convention upon there Letter
118 The City Records.
and Resolve of y e 4 th Instant but sent a Letter to Cap 1
wendel & Capt Bleeker signed by Leysler alone which is
openly Read, ye Purport of which Cheeffly tends to Desyre
them to Induce the Common People to send Two men to assist
them in there Conimite, and advise them further y l he
sends them 40 Ib match out of there Maj ts Stores and Two
hundred Ib of Pouder belonging to y e merchants of albany
Item 4 small Gunns, but as for money they Receive none,
neither is itt in there Power to Command any of there Militia
for our assistance alledgeing y l y e great slight there People
Rec'd when here Deprives them to oblige Volunteers In-
sisting again for y e Sending doune of Committes to consult
w th them and shall then according to there Capacities Re-
solve for ye Publick good.
That some oy r methods may be used for y e Procureing of
men if possible from N : England or Elsewhere for y e De-
fence of there Maj ts Intrest in this County, and if Christians
cannot be procured yt some Indians may be gott w th al speed
Ordered yt Rob 1 Sanders use his Endeavor to procure the
Indians of y e Long Reach Wawyaehtenok and Sopus to come
here to lye out as skouts upon y e borders of this County &
yt he have Letters of Recommendation to y e Justices of ye
Peace of ye County of Ulster to assist him in Perswading
of s d Indians
Ordered yt ye assistants of y e Respective wardes & y e Mili-
tary officers of y e County goe about & see what y e Inhabitants
will be willing to advance for y e Raiseing of some men for
y e Defence of this County against y e french, and are sent
with this following Proposall,
PROPOSALL TO Y E COMMONALITY for y e maintaining and
paying of men in this juncture of time for our Defence
against y e french, since by the Present Revolutions we can
expect no releef for or assistance from our neighbours accord-
ing to there letters sent hither, which Charge will be Re-
presented by this Convention to y e gov r 'whom there Majes-
ties will i>e Pleased to send that s d men may be p d out of
y e Public Revenues of y e Countrey being for y e Preservation
of there Majesties Intrest in these parts, otherwise that it
will be paid by a generall Tax out of y e whole County To y e
maintaining which men these following persons subcribe viz 1
The City Eecords.
119
P. Schuyler Mayr .... 15
Kil : van Renselaer ... 15
gabriel Thompson .... 10
Marte gerritse .. 10
Dirk wesseUs '. 6
Jan Lansing 12
Job : wendel 12
L. v Schaick 10
Albt.Ryckman 6
Robt Sanders 6
Robt Livingston 50
Johannes abeel 6
Gert Teunise 5
David Schuyler 6
Jochim Staets 5
Evert Banker 5
Isak Verplank 3
Johannes Beekman ... 4
Johannes Thomase ... 2
o
Reynier Barents . ...
6
Jan Jaifse Bleeker . . .
abraham Cuyler .....
. 6
3
3
antho Bratt
. 15
Margt Schuyler . .
20
Catharina Glen
4
Myndt harmense
Elisabeth Van Tricht
Jannetje Gerritse
Jan Rosie ......
. 6
. 3
. 10
o
Jan Becker
2
5
Gerrit Banker
. 18
o
292
SECOND WARD
Johannes Cuyler 3 : 12
Johannes appel 3 :
Jeronimus wendel .... 4 :
P. Davidtse 2 :
Hend : Bries 3 :
Jacob abrahamse 2 :
Evert wendel 3 :
Phil: wendel 1:
arent Schuyler 6 :
Jacobus Turk , . 1 : 10
Johannes Rooseboom . . 2:6
31: 8
Dirk Sensing 1:10
Bennony van Corlaer
Jacob Meese
Jacob Voss .
THIRD WARD
Myndt Frederickse .
Johannes van Sante
10
The farmers belonging to
Melgert abrahamse . . .
Claes van Petten
gerrit gysbertse 1
Dorite Janse
geertruy Janse 1
Cornelis Teunise
Cobus Janse
Catharina van d r Poel
antho van Shaik . .
Hend : van Ness .....
P. Lockermans
Teunise d metselaer . .
Capt Marting Grerritse Comp e
8
And. hanse
Jan Ouderkerk
1:
:12
Hanne Lieverse
1 :
4
Jan van ness . ...
1 :
4
Barent Bratt
:
12
Geurt hendrickse
Roeloff gerritse
:12
: 6
14
William Ketelhevn . . .
gert Lansing as^vell .
as his brothers
2 :
0:
26 : 18
120 The City Records.
The farmers belonging to Capt ger Teunisens Comp e
Lievo winne
1
1
1
1
8
31
18
8
Jacob van hoesen
1
Volkert van hoesen . . .
Luykas Janse
1
9
1st ward & Convention 292
367
1
C : gerritsens Comp e . .
2dward ..
Att a Convention &c., 23 d day September 1689. Present,
P. Schuyler May, Dirk Wessels Rec^, J. Wendel, J.
Bleeker, Jan Lansing, Liv : van Schaik, albt Ryckman,
Job: Abeel, Ev. Banker, Capt Marten gerritsen, C. gert
Teunise, Leift Job : Benseni, Leift Rob : Sanders, Leift.
Ev.d Ridder, V : gabr : Thomson.
The Schedule or List of y e Burgers & farmers names who
subscribed for y e Contribution of money for ye Raiseing of
men for our assistance being summd up amounts to y e
somme of 367 : 6 and therefore not half Enough for y e Pro-
cureing of one hundred men which is judged Requisite to
acquaint y e Commonality withall : So y l other means must
be used to procure men, doe therefore Mortify e & make null
& void y e aforesaid subscriptions thanking y e People who
had signed for there good Inclination. It is therefore
Resolved since no assistance can be expected from N:
Yorke nor money raised here to Procure men to write to y e
governor and Convention of Boston for y e assistance of one
hundred men and also to governor and generall assembly off
Connetticut for y e assistance of y e like number of men to
lye in garrison here this winter to secure there Majesties Fort
and y e frontiers of this county against y e french or there
Praying Indians which Letters are written accordingly
Whereas it is thougt Convenient by y e Convention of
Civill and Military officers of y e Citty and County of Albany
y* all Possible endeavors be used to Procure y e Indians of
y e Long Reaqji Wawijachtenock & Sopus to come here &
Lye out as skouts upon y e borders of this County to prevent
any Incursions y l might be made by y e Indians of Canida
and Robert Sanders Lieftennant of one of y e Train bande
The City Records. 121
Companies of this Citty being thought a fitt p'son to Procure
y e same, he is therefore hereby Impowered & authorized to
use his Endevors in effecting y e same, & y e gentlemen of our
neighbouring County of Ulster are earnestly desyred & In-
treated to be aideing & assisting to him in s d bussinesse itt
being for y e Preservation of there Majesties king William
& queen Maryes Interest in these parts Actum in albany
ye 27 th of September 1689
Att a Convention &o. Albany Oct. 24th 1689 Present, P.
Schuyler Mayor, Joh : Wendel, albert Ryckman, David
Schuyler, Eghbert Teunise, Claes Ripse, Ev. Banker,
Captain Marten gerritsen, C : Sanders glenn, L : Jan van
Eps, En : Joh : Sanders, Lieft Jochim Staets, Capt
Sharpe, gert Ryerse.
The Convention being mett to consider y e Contents of a
Letter sent by y e governor of Boston in y e name and by
Consent of y e Councill and Representatives wherein they
signify there sence of y e feares and Dangers we Lye in of
Incursions by y e french and French Indians & y e need we
stand in of some forces to be sent for y e enforcing of our
garrison which they would be willing to afford from thence,
but there p'sent Circumstances of things haveing so many
men out against y e Common Enemy to y e Eastward, besides
y e great Distance from hence, y l they cannot doe what they
would in that Regard, but have written to y e governor and
Councill of Connetticutt Earnestly Pressing them to Provide
one hundred men (if they can so many) or what they can
for our present Relieffe, & y 1 Capt Bull be desyred to take
the Command of them ; and that they had writt to y e Go-
vernor and Councill of Plymouth that they would enforce the
same motion by there Letter to Connetticut, y 1 it may be
sent by y e joynt Concurrence of all y e Collonies.
Robert Treat Esquire Governor of Conetticut doth ans-
wer our Letter sent him by Captain Bull which he had
Communicated to y e general assembly that there Court had
taken our condition into there serious Consideration, and
have Resolved to send us about eighty souldiers with there
officers as soon as they can effect it, and are endeavoring to
Annals, ii. 11
122 The City Records.
Procure Captain Bull to be there Captain but hope and
Expect y l we will pay y e Commission officers there wages,
They being at so great a charge about y e warrs with y e
Eastern Indians and otherwise by Losses throug great sick-
nesse and mortality in there harvest season yet they think
strange thatt none of our oun neighbouring Counties should
Releave us which lye so farr before them with lesse charge
& difficulty then they can Reach, & therefore think it so
Reasonable a Request on there Parts unto us to take off
some Part of there wages, there expenses being so great
among themselfs, & Cannot raise men for such service at
p'sent with great Difficulty & waite our Complyance herewith,
Vpon which this following was resolved Captain Sander
Grlenn Lieft Jan van Eps Ens : Johannes Sanders glen, and
Sweer Teunise doe vote in ye behalfe of y e Toune of Shin-
nechtady y l y e men may be sent for from Canetticut and
that they will bear there Proportiones of y e Cherge of y e
officers there wages and maintain them accordingly, Provided
they be under Command and obey such orders and Instruc-
tions as they shall Receive from time to time from y e Con-
vention of this Citty and County and in y e time of there not
sitting to y e Mayor & aldermen of this citty. It is y e opin-
ion of y e Convention y l y e 8 men still at Sarachtoge doe
Remain ther til further order.
At a Convention &c. Oct. 25. 1689. Present as before.
It is Thougt Convenient that all there Majesties Justices
of y e Peace & Commission officers doe take y e oath of alle-
giance to there Majesties William & Mary king and Queen
of England France & Ireland & a Defenders of y e faith and
accordingly
Peter Schuyler mayor & Justice of y e Peace did take y e
oath of fidelity before Dirk wessells Recorder & Justice of
the Peace
And these following Persons took y e oath of fidelity to
there Majesties before Peter Schuyler mayor viz 1
Dirk wessells Recorder Capt Gerrit Teunise Capt : Marte
G-erritse Lieft : Robt : Sanders Ens : Gabriel Thompson kilian
van Renselaer Claes Ripse Van Dam David Schuyler Robt :
The City Records. 123
Livingston Lieft : Jochim Staets : Johannes appel Constable
& Peter Boss Constable
Dirk Wessells Jan Janse Bleeker and Dirk Teunise
Justices of the Peace haveing been at Sopus for y e behalfe
of this County to Desyre assistance, and accordingly made
there application to Major Chambers y e third time, who gave
his warrant to y e Commission officers to collect the votes of
y e Inhabitants concerning y- sending up of men upon acca-
sioo for y e assistance of y e People of alb. upon which y e
return was by Capt Beekman of y c horse, That all his men
were willing but Two Capt Matthys that all his Company
was willing, Capt Garten that he himself and all his Comp :
were Ready but Capt Paling had not brought in his return
The s d Justices did Insist with y e Major of y l County
that y e men might be Prikt yet were to come upon occasion
of allarm, that they might y e more Depend thereupon, who
ordered yet y e Court marshall should meet y e 25 of October
to effect that Bussinesse
Resolved that the men that are at Sarachtoge be sent for
doune and that seven souldiers out of there majesties fort
with Claes Rust and Dick albertse Bradt be sent thither to
lye there as skouts on y l part of y e County.
Resolved y l Capt killian van Ranselaer & Capt gert Teunise
be deputed to goe to y e Governor and Council of Connetticut
and to Return our hearty Thanks for there kinde Letter of
ye 15th Instant wherein they signify y* they will send about
80 men besides officers for our Releefe Expecting y* we will
pay y e Commission officers there wages who are to be com-
missionated to treat w th y e s d governor and Council about
y e officers wages since this county hath had such excessive
Charges without y e least assistance & to accept of y e men
by them Proferd & to Dispatch them hither with all speed
who are to lye in garrison here this winter.
Whereas we are informed that diverse persons envying y e
Peace wellfare and tranquility of y e Inabitants of this City
& County have Endeavored to Raise diverse false aspersions
and jealousies as if some Inhabitants here should have
greater affection to y e late Popish king James Stuart then
to our endeared Souvraign Lord & Lady king William &
Queen Mary whom God almighty through his great mercy
hath been pleased to call to y e Throne & to rule over us j
124 The City Eecords.
but to avoid all such Jealousies thogh we are very well as-
sured that few or none in our Posts but doe abhor and De-
test all Popery and what tends thereunto but on y e Contrarie
will with all Cheerfullnesse & readinesse abide y e oath of
allegiance to there s d Majesties as -all y e members of y e s d
Convention have already done
It is therefore thought Convenient by y e s d Convention
thogh for y e present there be no Commission from there
Majesties to administer y e s d oath that y e Inhabitants of y e
Citty & County of Albany & souldiers of there Majesties
fort doe all take y e oath of Allegiance to there Majesties
king William & queen Mary on or before the last day of
October next ensuing, and y e Aldermen in there wards are
ordered to administer s d oath who will be founde at there
respective houses on y e forenoon & y e justices in y e out
plantations to administer the same to them that live there,
all who are to make Return thereof to y e office of y e Citty
& County who names are to be recorded accordingly.
By order of y e Convention
ROBT LIVINGSTON
The 26^ of October 168ft Resolved yt Dirk Wessells John
Wendell Jan Janse Bleeker David Shuyler & albert Ryck-
man, Justices of y e Peace doe repare to there Majestys fort
and administer to y e Souldiers the oath of fidelity to there
Majesties William & Mary king & queen of England &c. who
accordingly with all Cherfulnesso & Readinesse took y e same
(as they were drawn up in y e fort in arms by Lev 1 Sharpe
who took his oath ye 19 th of October last in y e full Conven-
tion) a list whereof follows
Charles Rogers ) H t Wm Ellis
Christoph: Barnsford f >erg Robt Farrington
John holman "1 Ralph Graunt
John gilbert V Corprs Wm Haaton
John Thompson J Wm hather
Wm Shaw meatros [gunner] Stephen hooper
Tho. Rodgers Drummer Wm Rogers
gert arentse John Radecliffe
Robt Barnet Richd Tunnell
John Carter Elias Van Ravesteyn
John Douglas Ricd white
John Denny Ricd wilson
The City Eecords. 125
Jos Tetts James willet
Tho : wakefield
Tho. Shaver Refuses [to]
These were not present take ye oath
being at ye halfmoon
Tobyas henderson Memorandum y e 10 of Nov.
James Larmond ye abovesd men Took all ye
Wm Powel oath of allegiance
It is unanimously Resolved y l Leift Thog. Sharpe who to-
gether with y e Souldiers of there Majesties garrison have
taken ye oath of fidelity to there Majesties William & Mary
king & queen y l y e s d Leift Sharpe shall Continue in y e Com-
mand of there Majesties fort of Albany who is to obey such
orders & Instuctions as he shall from time to time Receive
from ye Convention of y e Citty and County of Albany, &
y l no other person shall have y e Command of s d fort till
orders Came from there Majesties king William & queen
Mary which we with Patience will waite for Since y e s d fort
is kept for there Majesties use
Signed P SCHUYLER
JOHANNES WENDEL
JAN JANSE BLEEKEB
K V RENSELAEB
Ev BANKER
JOH: CUTLER
DIRK TEUNISE
This Protest was sent aboard of Jochim Staets by y e Mar-
shall inclosed in a letter to him & alderman Skaik
Resolved to write and give our hearty thanks to y e Hon-
orable Governor & Councill and Representives of Boston for
there kinde letter of y e 10th of October in writeing to y e
governor & Councill of Conetticut Pressing them to Provide
one hundred men for our assistance who accordingly have
granted to furnish us with eighty men with there officers
hopeing & expecting Payment for y e Commission officers &
y l Kilian Van Renselaer & Capt gerrit Teunise be sent to
Conetticut to return them thanks for there assistance and to
accept of y e men and withal to "Inform them of y e mean
Condition of this place and how willing we would be to pay
s d officers & Souldiers too if we were in condition to bear it.
126 The City Eecords.
Resolved to write to y e governor & Councill of Conetticut
to thank them for there kinde letter of y e 15th of October
wherein they graunt to send us eighty souldiers with there
officers, hopeing and expecting we will Pay y e Commission
officers, & yt Capt. Renselaer and Capt. gert Teunise be
Commissionated to goe thither and Return our Thanks and
accept of y e 80 men & Endeuor to have them hither with
all speed, who are to submit themselfs to y e orders & direc-
tions of y e Convention, & withal to consult with y e Governor
& Councill Concerning y e Payment of y e Commission Officers.
By y e Convention of y e Civill and Military officers of y e
Citty and County of Albany.
Whereas it is thought Convenient that some p'sons be
Commissionate to goe to y e honorable governor & Councill
of Conetticut and y e assembly if sitting to give our Cordiall
thanks for there great kindnesse in Resolueing to send
eighty men with there officers for y e security of there Majes-
ties Interest in these parts, and we confideing in y e Integrity
and fidelity of Capt. Kilian van Renselaer & Capt. Gert
Teunise members of our Convention have Desyred and
authorized them with all Convenient Speed to goe to y e Col-
lony of Conetticut and Signify to y e honorable governor &
Councill of y l Colony & to y e assembly if sitting y e Real
sence we have of there kindnesse in Sendeing these men, &
to hasten there Comeing with all convenient Speed, as also
to Discourse with y e s d Governor Concerning y e wages of y e
Commission officers earnestly Desyreing y l y e s d Two gentle-
men may be Reputed and Esteemed as our agents in y v Be-
halfe Ratifyeing and Confirming whatever they shall act or
doe about y e p'mises, given under our hands & sealls in
Albany ye 28th day of October in y e first year of y e Reign
of our Souveraign Lord & Lady William & Mary king &
queen of England: &c. 1689.
Signed PIETER SCHUYLEE
JOHANNES WENDELL
DIRK WESSELLS
Ev. BANKER
The City Records.
127
Att a Convention &c. Albany 28th Sept. [October] 1689
Present as before.
Resolved y 1 Capt. wendel & Capt. Bleeker Cause y e gates
& Courtains of y e Citty to be made & Repared according to
y e Division made and there engagement who are to warn
there People to doe it upon Pain of answering whatsoever
Inconveniencies that may happen by such neglect and each
of y e s d Captains had an order given them accordingly.
Resolved y l Since Sundrey members of y e Convention
have Signed a Bonde for y e Reimburseing of Robt Livings-
ton such disbursements as he shall make for there Majesties
account upon our Request y 1 y e said Bonde be Recorded
which is as follows.
Whereas there is at this Present juncture litle or no Rev-
enue accrueing to there Majesties in this Citty and County
and nevertheless diverse Charges to be paid as y e Reparations
of there Majesties fort Paying of y e People that have been
at Sarachtoge upon y e kings & queens account and Diverse
other Public Charges and altho Robert Livingston is already
Considerable in advance yett y e Convention doe Desyre y 1
he further may advance upon there Majesties accompt, such
necessary Charges as shall from time to time happen and
* because y e s d Livingston may be y e more Incouraged to
Proceed, we whose names are underwritten doe Promise &
Engage y l if y e s d Livingston be not Reimbursed such Dis-
bursements as he shall make by y e Mayors order one aider-
men and assistant for y e Publick account in Six monthes
after y e arrivall of a governor or orders from there now
Majesties king William & queen Mary y l wee will yointly
& severally see him p d & Satisfyed and that he shall not
sustain any Losse or Damage by Such Disbursements being
by our Particular orders as witnesse our hands in albany y e
26 of October 1689.
PETER SCHUYLER
DIRK WESSELLS
CLAES RIPSE VAN DAM
GABRIEL THOMPSON
DIRK TEUNISE
ALBT RYCKMAN
DAVID SCHUYLER
128 The City Records.
Johannes van der heyden hend : Janse & William Hollie
took y e oath of allegiance to there Majesties.
The Convention writt a letter to alderman Schayk and
Lieftenant Staets putting them in minde of what they had
writt yesterday Concerning ye Keports of Leyslers Inten-
tions to send up armed men to overthrow y e government of
this Citty, and that they would endevor to prevent it as
they loved y e Peace of this Citty, and withall Informed
them that we hear by a Prisoner come from Canida y l y e
Indian Prisoners were come from france with y e governor
of Mont Koyall and y l y e governor of Canida and diverse
officers went to france, & therefore consider in what a Con-
dition we would he with y e Indians if a Change of Magis-
trates and a Subversion of y e government should at p'sent
be made.
Albany ye 29th of October 1689. Present, Peter Schuyler
Mayor, Dirk wessells, Jan Bleeker, Claes Ripse, David
Schuyler, albert Ryckman, Joh : Cuyler, Eghbert Teu-
nise, Jan nack
"Whereas there was an order made by y e Convention y e
25th Instant that y e men Lyeing at Sarachtoge be sent for
and yt seven Souldiers of there Majesties fort with Two other 4
men be Sent there y l can speak y e Indian Language, and
being informed by Leift Sharpe y* y e Souldiers were un-
willing to go, they were Sent for who told the Gentlemen
that if ye Convention would engage for their Pay they
would willingly serve there Majesties to whom they have
Sworne fidelity in their Majesties fort; But they would all
willingly goe with there officer for their Majesties account
whereever he would lead them, & if y e Convention were
not satisfied with that they would all grounde there arms
alleadgeing y l none but a governor or he y l had Iminediat
Commission from there Majesties William & Mary could
Command them out in Such Small Partyes Except they en-
gage for their pay
Upon which it was Resolved y l Dirk albertse Bratt and
anothSr be sent thither to stay there with Some Indians till
further order.
The City Records. 129
Att a Convention &c. albany y e 4th of november 1689
Present, Peter Sehuyler mayor, Dirk wessels Recorder,
Joh : wendel, Liv Van Schaik, Jan Bleeker, Claes
Ripse, David Sehuyler, albert Ryckman, Reynier Bar-
entse, Evert Banker, Jan nack, Joh : Cuyler, Eghbert
Teunise, Captain Marten gerritse Justice, Leif. Robert
Sanders,
Whereas y e members of y e Convention have given to
Robt. Livingston a Bonde whereby they oblige themselfs
to bear y e s d Livingston harmlesse for such Disbursements
as he hath now or shall make for y e Publike account by our
Particular order. That if he be not paid within Six months
after y e arrivall of a governor or orders from there now Majes-
ties King William & queen Mary, that wee will see him
paid, & if it should happen that care should not be taken
for y e Reimburseing of s d Livingston, that he should be
necessitated to Demand y e s d Disbursements of y e members
of s d Convention. It is ordered yt such p'son or p'sons so
Paying Such Publike Charge be Reimbursed outofy 6 Pub-
like Rates of y e County, always Provided y e s d Charge be
for ye Reparations of there Majesties fort of Albany & y e
Charge of y e People y l Lay at Sarachtoge.
Livinus Van Schaik alderman and one of y e Justices of
y e Peace of this County arrived this day from N : Yorke to
whom the Resolution of this Convention of y e 26th of
October Last was Sent, inclosed in a letter to him and Leift
Jochim Staas who were Desyred after they had Received
Information y l Capt Leysler was intended to send up a
Company of armed men to make themselfs master of there
Majesties Fort .of Albany and of y e Citty turn y e govern-
ment of this Citty upside doune & Disturbe y e Peace and
Tranquility of there Majesties King William & queen Marys
Liege People, and carry Some of y e Principle Burghers and
Inhabitants of this Citty Prisoners to N : Yorke.
That they should Deliver y e Protestation sent them by
this Convention against Such Proceedings.
Alderman Schaik haveing Received diverse Informations
from Credible Persones that they had such and such Designs
Discoursed Jochim Staets telling him h thought himself
obliged to Deliver y e Protest to Leysler and y e Committee,
130 The City Records.
which was sent by y e Convention of Albany upon which
Jochim Staets Replyed he knew not what to doe. They
would have him Capt of y l Company that went up to Albany
which was to Lye in y e fort.
Alderman Shaik answered Mr. Staets you know that
would Be against y e Resolution of y e Convention of Albany
who hes Put Captain Sharpe to be Commander there, where-
upon Jochim Staets Replyed they would have Sharpe out,
& if I will not accept of itt they will putt in Churchill, me-
thinks that it is better that I accept of itt then that such a
Vagabond as Churchill should have y e Command.
Upon which y e s d alderman went in with Jochim Staets
to y e Committee being y e 29th day of October & Delivered y e
Protest to Capt. Leysler & y e Resolution of y e Convention
of Albany for Capt Sharpe to Continue till further orders.
The Said alderman Skaik askd, what answer they would
give him upon y e Protest, upon which Jacob Milborne
Replyed with Consent of y e other Persons Conveined y l
time that he would goe up to Albany, & see the fort there
better Secured.
The Said Schaik Considering y Contents of y e Conventions
Letter whereby they earnestly Desyred advice by an Expresse
if occasion Required, thought Convenient to come up him-
self to give y e Convention an acct off affares not Doubting
but that they were fully Resolved to Send up men hither
to Oisturbe the People of Albany Since y e day before ye Pro-
test came to his hands he himself being in there Committee
(about some Discourse thatt should have Passed on Long
Island) heard Capt. Leysler Say amongst other Discourse
that they of albany should bring there Charter here if they
had one, & y l Leift Sharpe & Rodgers were Papists all which
with severall other Informations he heard: while he was at
N : Yorke.
The Convention did Returne there hearty thanks to alder-
man Schaik for his Care & fidelity in acting so Prudently in
y l affaire & for Delivering y e Protest which they understand
would not have been Delivered by Jochim Staets; & Espe-
cially for his trouble that He hes been Pleased to take to
come up himself Expresse & give an acct of affares.
Upon which itt* was Enquired by y e Mayor of y e Con-
vention ^whither there were any Person or member of y e
The City Records. 131
Convention from y e greatest officer to y e Least yt any Per-
son had any objection against or y e Least mistrust that they
should now declare itt.
Whereupon y e Convention unanimously answered that
they had nothing to object against any of y e members of y e
Convention, but that they should be and Remaine in there
Respective offices and Stations till orders from there most
Sacred Majesties William & Mary king & queen of England
&c. and that they would not Suffer that any member Should
be Disturbed Displaced or Removed from this Citty upon
any Pretence whatsoever and if such a thing happened to
be done by force Contrare to y e Priviledge of this Citty
(which God forbid) that y e whole Convention would Resent
it as done to them all in generall & make Record of it ac-
cordingly
Itt is Resolved by this Convention to acquaint the Burgers
and Inhabitants of this Citty by the assistants of there Re-
spective wards how j l we have Received Information from
N : Yorke that there is a Company of men comeing up from
thence, who Intend to Turn y e government of this Citty
upside doune, make themselfs master of y e Fort and Citty,
and in no manner to be obedient to any orders and Com-
mands as they should Receive from time to Time from y e
Persons now in authority in this Citty and County, whereby
great Confusion will Ensue, Especially, if y e Indians Per-
ceive Such Divisions amongst our Self's, will be in Danger
to be led away to y e french, & so break y e frindship which
with so much Trouble and Paynes and charge hath hitherto
been Preserved by this government which might tend to y e
great Ruine and Destruction of there Majesties Interest in
these Parts which s d men so comeing up we hear are to be
paid by y e Burgers and Inhabitants of this Citty and County,
which charge would be untollerable to be born by y e In-
habitants att this Juncture of time, & not only that charge
butt by such means cause us to Contribute to what Charge
they of N : Yorke have been att Since these Revolutions,
and therefore itt is thought Convenient to Convein the Bur-
gers in the Citty hall & there to Demand there opinion, and
to answer to Some articles which will be given them in write-
ing to morrow.
132 The City Records.
Att a Convention &c. Albany the 5th day of november 1689
Present as before
According to y e Resolution taken by y e Convention yes-
terday ye Burgers and Inhabitants of y e Citty and Part ofy e
County were Conveined in y e Citty hall by Bell Ringing
and these following Proposalls were made & given them in
writeing & Desyred to give there answer.
PROPOSEALLS made by the Convention to y e People. In
Albany y e 5th day of november 1689. Upon y e Report
of men comeing from N : Yorke.
1 If they be not Resolved to stand for y e Privileges of
there Citty and County, and to Resist all p'sons who shall
endeavor to Brake y e Same.
2 If they had any objection or any thing against the
Magistrates or members of y e Convention from y e Least
member to y e greatest, That they now would Reveale y e
Same.
3 If they were Inclined to pay y e Souldiers wages come-
ing from N : Yorke which we here y e military officers of
N : Yorke have Engaged must be paid by y e Inhabitants of
albany
4 If they had any mistrust of Lieft Tho. Sharpe whom
y e Convention have Continued in y e fort to be under them,
and if they would have one besides him to have y e Com-
mand of y e fort.
5 Since we have heard Such Strange Rumours, if it^would
not be Very Dangerous to Suffer y e men comeing from New
Yorke to come intoy e Citty, before we have Sufficient assur-
ance that they come with a good Intent to assist us as
neighbours, and to obey the Convention, and not to turn y e
government of y e Citty upside doune, to make themselfs
master of the fort and Citty, and to fetch y e meanest Burger
from hence ; and if they Burgers would not oppose Such
hostility and force.
6 If it is not Extream Dangerous at this Juncture to
make any Confusion Division or change least y e Indians
who are in Covenant with us and depend thereupon should
mistrust our Integrity and so be brought to Side with y e
french.
The City Eecords. 133
7 If they will not secure y e fort and Citty for there Ma-
jesties till Such time there Majesties king william & queen
mary Send orders or a governour, and that of N : yorke
nor none else be admitted to be master of y e same
8 That they ought to Consider y l y e Souldiers that lye in
y e fort are no Burthen to y e Citty nor County but kept main-
tained & paid upon there Majesties accompt who are not
only naturall born subjects of England but have all (Except
one) taken y e oath of allegeance to y e Present king & Queen
9 If they doe not owne and acknowledge y e Convention
of y e Citty and County for there Lawfull Authority till a
Settlement comes, and if they them will obey as such
Upon which y e People agreed and Consented to y e s d
Articles, acknowledgeing y e members of y e Convention for
there Lawfull Magistracy in there Respective offices and
Places and made this following answer Signed by forty of y e
Inhabitants Principall men of y e Toune
Whereas y e Convention of albany have Propounded Some
articles to y e Commonality for y e wellfare of y e Place wee
underwritten Burgers and Inhabitants of y e Citty and County
of albanie do Promise and Declare faithfully and Sincerely y l
wee will uphold and Maintain to y e utmost y e Previleges of
albany, & oppose all Persones who shall Seeke to infringe
y e Same.
2 That we have not y e least objection or Evill opinion of
y e Magistrates or members of y e Convention, butt Promise
to Obey them and assist them as faithfull Subjects are
bounde to doe there lawfull authority.
3 That we are no ways Inclined to pay y e People comeing
from: N: Yorke, neither can bear such Excessive Charge,
but if they come as good neighbours & friendes shall en-
deavor to Treat them Civilly with meat and Drink and
Lodgeing according to our ability.
4 That y e Bussinesse Concerning y e fort is Referred to
y e Convention.
oly That we unanimously judge it Dangerous to lett y e
men comeing from N : Yorke come into y e Citty till Such
time y e Convention have Sufficient assurance of there sincere
meaning and Intention, Since by no means we can Suffer
them to Turn y e government of this Citty upside doune,
Annals ii. 12
134 The City Becords.
nor that they be masters of City or fort nor suffer y e Least
Burger to be carried away from hence, or molest them. But
if anything to object against any of y e Burgers of this Citty,
that they may enter there action before y e Courts of this
Citty & County according to law
6 That we juge a Change or Subversion of government
att this jucture to be Exceeding Dangerous in Reference to
y e Treating with y e Indians, and therefore doe not under-
stand that there now be a Change upon any Pretence what-
soever, before y l orders co'mes from there Majesties
7 That wee are fully Resolved with y e help of god al-
mighty to keep & Secure y e fort and Citty for the behoofe
of our Souveraign Lord & Lady King William & Queen
Mary; and not suffer them of N : Yorke or any Person else
to Rule over y e Same, Since it will be Required att our
hands when a governor comes & not of theres.
8 That we verry well approve of y e Souldiers that have
taken ye oath of fidelity doe Remain in ye fort, & if there
be occasion for more men in y e fort to Secure y e Same y l
then Some of y e Burgers or whom y e Convention shall ap-
point doe goe thither and no others
9 : & Lastly: That we doe Esteem owne and acknowlege
y e Convention to be our only Lawfull authority in this
Country till such time orders comes from there Majesties
whom we doe Relye upon for y e good government of y e
Same, Praying God to Blesse them in their undertakeings
for ye wellfare of our Country, Promiseing to assist them
wherein they shall have occasion for the Preservation of
Peace and Tranquility in our Toune & to lett and hinder
all p'sones who shall Stirr up Mutinie and Sedition to
Disturbe our Peace. In Testimony whereof that this is our
Reall Intent & y* we faithfully will p'form y e Same have
hereunto Sett our hands in Albany y e 5th day of november :
1689
was signed by forty Inhabitants vizt
Jan Becker the mark of Jan
H: v: Dyck Cornelise Vyselaer
Myndert Frederikse & W V P
Pieter D : Schuyler Wm gysbertse
Arent Schuyler Abram Isaakse
Wm Teller Hend: Beekman
The City Records.
135
Casp r Teller
John liarris
A : Teller
Jacob Lockermans
Johannes Schuyler
Hend : Rensselaer
John Gilbert
William hendriksen
Isaak Vr planken
Anthony Bratt
Wessel Ten Broek
Takel heimstraet
Warner Carstense
Myndert Schuyler
Bennony Yan Corlaer
Johannes Thomase
JKok
Andrews Teller junior
Francis Salesbury
Johannes appel
Abraham Cuyler
Jan Bleeker Junior
Johannnes Becker the younger
Jacpb meese vroman
Jacob Vanden Bogaert
Gert vanness
Willem
Hans Cross H-K mark
Dirk Bratt
Att a Convention &c. Albany 7th & 8th days of november
1689. Present as before, Except C : Jan Bleeker absent,
and C. Marte gerritse & Gert Ryerse present
The matter concerning y e Better Secureing of there Ma-
jesties fort of albany being taken into Consideration this fol-
lowing order was made thereabouts.
Whereas there is a Resolution made by y e Convention y e
26th day of October Last whereby Leift. Thomas Sharpe
should Continue in y e Command of there Majesties fort of
albany till orders comes from there Majesties William and
Mary king & queen of England &c. who was to obey such
orders and Instructions as he should from time to time
Receive from y e Said Convention, and whereas we are In-
formed that Diverse Persones are jealous that there Majes-
ties Fort is thereby not Sufficiently Secured but are
Desyreous that another Sufficient Person shall be authorized
along with said Leif Thomas Sharpe to have y e Command
thereof
It is therefore thought Convenient by this Convention
Since y e winter approaches and y e Long Expected orders
from there Most Sacred Majesties not yet being come and
to'Prevent all jealousies and Annimosities Concerning that
. affaire at this juncture of time, That Pieter Schuyler
Esquire Mayor of this Citty and one of there Majesties Jus-
136 The City Records.
tices of y e Peace of this County and Leiftenant of y e Troop
be authorized and is hereby authorized to have y e Command
of there Majesties fort and y e same to keep and maintain
and Defend for y e Behooffe of there Majesties William &
Mary king and queen of England france & Irland &a
Defenders of y e faith, and Lieftenant Sharpe be Lieft under
him who are both to obey and Perform Such orders &
Instructions as they shall from time to time Receive from
y e Convention of y e Citty & County of albany that have the
greatest Intrest in y e Preservation & Securing of s d fort for
there Majesties behalfe, and y l till such time and while
there Majesties William & Mary shall be pleased to send a
governor or orders for y e government of this Province & the
s d P r Schuyler Mayor to take Possession of y e Same
accordingly
N. B : Joh wendel Suspends his vote for y e p'sent as also
Joh : Cuyler & J : nack.
This being Published by Bell-Ringing y e members of y e
Convention went to ye Mayers house, and told him they
were come to waite upon him and Conduct him up to y e fort
who being accompanied with some of y e Principle Burgers
went up and Possession of s d fort after y e usuall Ceremonies
was Delivered, & y e s d Mayor with all cheerfulness Received
by y e officers and souldiers of there Majesties garrison.
Att a Convention &c. Albany 9th day of November 1689.
Present as before, Except, Mayor & Leif. van Schaik
absent.
The Members of y e Convention that were in Toune did
meet Together att y e Citty hall upon the news that there
were three Sloops in Sight whereof one had y e king Jack
aboard, and hereing that there were a Comp e of Souldiers
come by there beating of y e Drum, foure of y e Convention
to witt Captain wendel Captain Bleeker Johannes Cuyler
and Reynier Barents were sent aboard to know on what
accompt they came, Jacob Milborne who was on board of
Jochim Staets Sloop Replyed. If the fort was open for his
men to march in that night he was answered no, That y e
Mayor of y e Citty had Possession of y e fort who was Com-
The City Records. 137
mander of y e Same and was Desyred to goe a shore where
they would Discourse further, who with y e s d four Persones
came to y e Citty hall and was bid welcome by y s members
of y e Convention then Present.
No sooner was y e s d Milborne come into y e Citty hall
which was very full of People, but addressed his Discourse
to y e Common People in a long oration with a high Stile &
Language telling them That now it was in there powr to free
themselfs from y l Yoke of arbitrary Power and G-overnnient
under which they had Lyen so long in y e Reign of y*
Illegal king James, who was a Papist, Declareing all Illegal!
whatever was done & past in his time, yea the Charter of
this Citty was null & void Since it was granted by a Popish
kings governour & that now y e Power was in the People to
choose both new Civill and Military officers as they Pleased,
challenging all them that had. bore office in king James
Time to be Illegall, and therefore they must have a free
Election and much Such like Discourse.
After Jacob Milborne had ended his long Discourse
Jochim Staets & P r Bogardus who came up with him from
N : Yorke asked why y e magistrates did not speak now,
now was y e time for to Speake upon which Dirk wessells
Recorder Replyed, that there was time Enough yet, he was
nott Authorized at that Juncture to make him answer to
such Discourse, they had seen no Commission he had yett
and that they were met together to make Billets for the
quartering of y e men If they were come with a good Intent,
which lay Ready upon y e Table, & j l Milborne addressed
his Discourse to y e wrong People Since there were no arbi-
trary Power here ; Grod had Delivered them from that yoke
by there Majesties now upon y e throne, to whom we had
taken y e oath of allegiance, for we acted not in king James's
name but in king William & queen Marys & were there
Subjects.
Jacob Milborne Desyred that y e Mayor Might be Present
in y e Convention who was Twice Sent for, but answered yV
he could not leave his Post which was to keep good watch
in there Majesties fort, Referring y e s d Milborne to y e
Gentlemen that were Conveined together and y l he would
call ye Convention together to morrow after y e 2d Sermon
when they would Discourse the Case further with him, this
138 The City Records.
was Communicated to Jacob Milborne who answered that y e
Kecorder Represented y e Mayor in his absence, and Delivered
y e Convention a letter Signed by 25 Persones which was
Read y e Contents whereof is as follows
Fort William In N : York y 28 October 1689
GENTLEMEN The unspeakeable goodnesse of god and y e
unimagineable benefit which all Protestants Relating to y e
Crowne of England do Receive by the Ilustrious armes of
the Prince of Orange now our Benigne Leige Lord and
king as they are unexpressible So likewise they cannot but
call for y e most humble & unfeigned thanks to heaven and
all Expressible Returns of obedience to his Majestic
Therefore to Evince y e Same according to our Capacities
wee y e Committee or members chosen by y e free and open
Elections of y e freemen in y e Respective Counties of this
Province and Councill of warr
Humbly- traceing y e Stepps and Laying hold of y e En-
couragement given by So Royall an Example have as farr
as in us Lyed Prevented y e Rageing Intrest of y e Roman
Catholic Party and there adherents in this Province and
not only asserted the Right of our new Soveraigne but Re-
duced most of y e Dissafected to their obedience and Esta-
blisht his Majesties Interest upon So Sure a foundation y*
from thence already we fynde the fruits of Tranquility and
Peace, So we doubt not, but all y l are willing to be Es-
teemed of y e Reformation will Comply with the same ;
and to y e Intent that none of his Majesties forts or Subjects
should be Exposed where apparent fears and Dangers of his
Professed enemies doth Threaten them as wee are made
Sencible by yours of y e County of albany, we have sent 50
men with arms suteable, which doubt not but will bee of
Seasonable use for Defence of y e Same, and have given full
Power to our Trusty and Beloved friende Jacob Milborne
gentleman to treat with Consult, order doe and Performe all
things that shall be Requisite for his Majesties Service &
your Safety to whom we Desyre you will give Credence and
treat amicably that so we may not occasion y e Enemy to
Scandalize us with or take any advantage of Disputes and
Differences amongst uSj Especially when we are upon Such
The City Records.
139
good Terms of breaking of Papist and arbitrary Yokes from
our necks forever. This all at p'sent from your Loveing
friendes.
Samuel Edsall
Pieter de Lanoy
Gerardus Beekman
"Myndert Corten
Mathew harvey
Johannes V r melie
Jacob Leysler
Henry Cuyler
Richard Pan ton
Adriaen van Schaik
Gerrit Duyking
Jacob Leysler junior
Pieter demilt
Joh : Beekman
John Slott
hendrick ten Eyck
Jh : Bruyns
Is : d Biemer
Jean Desmareest
David Clerk
Teunise XR Roelofse his
marke
Joh : de Peyster
William Churchill
Sjort cipher se
After y e abovesaid Letter was Read y e Becorder asked
Jacob Milborne if he Pleased to have y e People quartered
which lay aboard since y e Billets were Beady who answered
no, But desyred Some Provision which was graunted & so
Parted y l night.
Memorandum that on y e 10th day of November being
Sunday
The following letter was Sent by Adam Vroman of Shin-
nectady to y e Mayor which Milborne had sent to him to
warne all y e People there forthwith to come to albany and
Receive there Rights Priviledges and. Liberties in such
manner as if the government of king James y e 2d never had
been, or any of his arbitrary Commissions or what is Illegally
done by his governours never had been done or Past, which
Letter follows in Terminis :
[Translation.]
Whereas I am authorized by the Honorable Delegates or
Members elected at a Free and Publick Election of the
Freemen and Respective counties of the Province of N.
York and Military Council thereof, to arrange and settle
the affairs of the City & County of Albany according to the
140 The City Records.
Constitution of the other Counties of the Province aforesaid
pursuant to the interest of His Majesty our Souveraign
Lord & King and the Welfare of the Inhabitants of said
Counties.
These are to advise and require all the Inhabitants of
Shinnectady and adjoining places to repair forthwith to the
aforesaid City of Albany to receive their Rights and Privi-
ledges & Liberties in such manner as if the Government of
King James the 2d had never existed or any of his arbitrary
Commissions or any of his Governors illegal acts had never
been executed or done.
Signed JACOB MILBOURNE.
Upon which Adam Yroman sent him this answer :
[Translation.]
MR JACOB MILBORNE.
Worthy Friend I have just now received your
letter. Firstly, I am not a person of quality; Secondly, the
Indians lie in divers squads in and around this place and
should we all repair to Albany great disquiet would arise
among the Savages to the general ruin of this Country;
therefore please excuse me as I am a person of no power
nor authority.
Your affectionate friend
ADAM VROOMAN.
By which letter it is Plainly Evident y e s d Milborne
Designs y e Subversion of y e government Confirmed by there
Majesties Proclamation of y e 14th feb. last, and thereby to
Disturbe y e Peace and Tranquility of there Majesties Leige
People Especially in this Juncture when the Indians are
Round about us, who much Depend on the Present Magis-
tracy that have with so much trouble Pains and Cost Secured
them to this government which if they should see y l y e
authority here should be troden under foot would undoubt-
edly undertake Some Dangerous Design
And that it may be apparent to y e world y l y e Design
was Laid at N : Yorke, y e following Letter writt by hend :
Cuyler one of there Councill of warr as they Term them-
The City Records. 141
selfs, to y e People of Schinnectady Desyreing there assist-
ance, and that they would come to albany, Telling them itt
was Resolved upon that they should have no lesser Privi-
ledges then they of albany, both in Tradeing and boalting
which Jacob Milborne. would Disclose unto them and Such
like false notions doth Sufficiently Demonstrate
[Translation.]
N. Yorke 2 Novembr 1689
Copia vera of a Letter from London
All Lands Plantations houses and Lots which were
escheated [prys gemaekt] since the year 1660 are again
restored by Act of Parliament. It was communicated to
his Majesty who approved of it. It will be passed in a few
days. Parliament is resolved to make a public example
of Sir Edmund Andros to the next Generation on account
of his Arbitrary illegal proceedings. I break off herewith
as it is too long to enlarge upon. Hearty respects to all
Noble friends of Shinnechtady. This goes per Mr Vedders
hand. I remain
Your friend & Servant
Hend: Cuyler
P. S. We earnestly request the aid and diligence of the
Noble gentlemen there for the promotion of the Public Good
in assisting those whom we now Send up at Albany's re-
quest being to the number of 50 men, of whom Jochim
Staets is Commander : not doubting but the gentlemen of
Shennechtady will be preferred to those of Albany in the
approaching New Government as we pledge ourselves to
speak in favor of your Diligence. I promise to send up to
you the first Order which we expect from England.
We expect a short answer from You by the next oppor-
tunity.
Sir, We have this day resolved that you shall have no
less Privileges than those of Albany in Trading and Bolt-
ing, which Mr Milborne will explain to you. We therefore
request that you will exhibit all Dilligence in repairing to-
gether to Albany to welcome said Milborne.
142
The City Records.
STORES out of his Majesties Garrison of New Yorke for
his s cl Majesties Service in an Expedicdn to Albany
November 2 1689.
100 Bullets divers Calibre
16 hand Grenadoes
2 quires Cartouch paper
8 half & 2 whole barrells powder
3 half barrels do
lOlb loose powder 1 bunch Match & Lintstock
A Krygs Jack (a flag).
100 flints 47 ffire lockes & Bandelier with
1 halbert 1 Pike heading 1 Drum
Kilaen van Renselaer Esquire Justice of y e Peace and
Capt gerrit Teunise who were sent by y e Convention to y e
Collony of Conetticut concerning y e men which thatt Collony
by y e joynt Concurrence of y e Collony of Massachusetts had
Promised to send hither for our assistance being Returned
brings a letter from y e governor & Councill there, how that
they are Resolved to Raise 80 men with there officers forth-
with, that they may be upon there march hither upon
munday y e 13th of november. .
The Agreement Concluded upon between y e governor
and Councill of Conetticut and our agents are as follows.
That we are to afford there Souldiers and officers ammo-
nition meet Drink and Lodgeing sufficient
That we are to pay to y e officers 8 shil. a day vizt
To ye Capt.
To ye Leift.
To e Ens :
4 sh. 6d
2sh
Ish 6d
to be paid weekly.
If any of s d officers or Souldiers should be visited with
Sicknesse or wounde, y e Charge of Attendance Phisick and
Doctors should be borne by us.
That we are to Provide a Canoe to carry y e Company over
Westenhook River
That y e Souldiers arms be Repaired at our Charge if
occasion
Which agreement was approven off by y e Convention.
The Said Mr. Renselaer & Capt Teunise Report that
when they come by kinderhook founde y e People Yery
The City Records. 143
much Inclined to mutiny who were Prepareing themselfs to
come hither by Reason of a Letter which they had Received
of Jacob Milborne to come up to albany in all Speed to
Receive Priviledges and Libertyes, So y 1 they had much
adoe to stop them however some Came.
Att a Convention &c. Albany in y e Citty hall Die Sabbathi
10th november. Post merid : Anno Dom : 1689. -Pre-
sent. Dirk wessels Recorder, Livinus van Shaik, Claes
Rysse, albt Ryckman, C. gert Teunise, Capt Sanderglen,
Ev. Banker, Jan nack, gerrit Ryerse, L : van Eps,
L : Robert Sanders, C. John wendel, C. Jan Janse
Bleeker, David Schuyler, C. Marte gerritse, kill : v.
Renselaer, Reynier Barentse, Johannes Cuyler, Eghbert
Teunise. Sweer Teunise, Ens : Joh : Sanders, Ens :
gabriel Thompson.
The Convention being met together at the Citty hall
Jacob Milborne was Sent for, the Recorder Dirk wessells
assumed y e Discourse and told that he had Received a Letter
yesterday of y e s d Milborne directed to y e Military and Civill
officers and inhabitants of y e Citty and County of albany,
but y e Convention not being full y e Bussinesse was Delayed
till to day which was Read being Signed by 25 Persones
wherein was Inserted that there were 51 men Sent hither
for our assistance, the Said Milborne was asked upon whose
Cost and charge y e men were come, and who were to pay
them there pay. Jacob Milborne answered, that we of albany
must pay them, and that they were hyred at 25 shil per
month, the Recorder Replyed that that was Repugnant to
there Resolution and letter sent to N : Yorke, y e ~ 4th of
September Last which y e s d Milborne Perruseing founde to
be soe, & askd all y e People Standing by if they thougt y e
County of albany would be able to pay y l Charge, who all
unanimously answered no ; upon which y e s d Milborne said
Then we shall fynde a way for it, and showed y e Convention
his Commission Signed and Sealed by 6 or 27 Persoues y e
Same that Signed y e letter which was Read : The Recorder
told him that Such a Commission graunted by a Company
of Private men was of no force here, and that he had no
Power to doe or order any affaires in albany, but if he could
144 The City Records.
shew a Commission from his Majesty king william our Liege
Lord then were willing to obey it.
The S d Milborne went on and made a long oration to y e
Common People which were got together in y e Citty hall of
Popish government and arbitrary Power Condemning all
things which had been done and Passed in y e late King
James Stuarts time Particularly y 8 Charter of this Citty and
that there ought to be a new Election of Magistrates &c and
many other things to Stirr up y e Common People, upon
which he was told that if all things were null & void which
were passed in King James time then y e Inhabitants were
in a Desolate Condition, Since many Patents of houses and
lands were obtained in y e Late King James time, which
undoubtedly will be approved and confirmed by there
Majesties now upon y e Throne, and that there had been a
free Election according to y e Charter and further that they
Plainly did Discern yt y e s d Milborne by his Smooth tongue
& Pretended Commissions did aim nothing else but to Raise
mutiny and Sedition amongst y e People which y e Conven-
tion had with So much trouble these Six monthes Last Past
kept in Peace and quietnesse Expecting dayly order from
there Majesties King William and Queen Mary and that
they had not Spared cost or charge to Secure y e Indians to
this government, of which there neighbors could give a
Sufficient Testimony, and therefore, if things were Carried
on as Milborne would have it, all would Runn into Confusion
with y e Indians all authority turned Upside Doune as in
many Parts of y e government was done, to which y e Con-
vention by no means could Condeshend, but were Resolved
to be quiet & in Peace if Possible till y e Long expected
orders from there Majesties should come to hand under
whom they acted, and therefore desyred y e s d Milborne to
desist from Such Discourse, for that they would Dispute no
more with him about it, leaveing all till a Lawful Power
came, nott acknowlegeing him to have any, and that they
should Proceed to discourse of quartering y e men who
endured so much hardship by Lyeing aboard, upon which
it was Concluded to meet again in y e morning about 9 a
Clock to aggree about y e quartering of y e 51 men Sent for
our assistance.
The City Records. 145
Memorandum That Kiliaen van Renselaer Capt gerrit
Teunise Capt Sander Grlenn Leift. Jan van Eps Ens :
Johannes Sanders & Sweer Teunise members of y e Con-
vention did approve of y e order made y e 7th & 8th In-
stant that Peter Schuyler Mayor should have y e command
of there Majesties fort till orders from there Majesties
king William & Queen Mary
Die Lunse 11 november 1689
The Convention were Intended to goe to y e Citty hall
but understanding that there was so greafa multitude of peo-
ple assembled together there in an Illegal manner to choose
one Jochim Staas Leift off one of y e Train bande Companies
of this Citty under Capt. Wendel to be Capt. of y l Company
of Souldiers come from N : Yorke, They stayd atty e Record-
ers house Endeavouring to agree with Jacob Milborne about
y e quartering of y e men, the s d Milborne Proposeing Some
articles which were answered by y e Convention and sent
him by Capt Marte Gerritse Livinus Van Schaik & Johan-
nes Cuyler, but y e s d Milborne Insisting to have y e s d men
to be under a Superior officer who was to be Commander of
y e fort, Distinct from the Civill function, and that then he
should fynde a way to pay y e men, which y e Convention by
no means would Condeshend, but y l s d men should be under
y e command of y e convention till orders came from there
Majesties otherwise could expect no assistance from them,
which answer was sent him by y e s d Capt gerritse alderman
Schaik & Johannes Cuyler assistant.
In y e meantime the Convention sent messengers thrice to
y e People Convened att y e Citty hall to Disperse themselfs
and goe home, they nevertheless went on and choose y e s a
Jochim Staets to be Capt of y l Company come from N:
Yorke by syncing there names to near a hundred Persones,
most youthes, and them that were no freeholders which s d
Place y e s d Jochim Staets did accept contrare to y e order
of y e Convention of which he was a member
Yea y e People were so Rageing and mutinous that some
of y e Convention being in y e Citty hall, were forced to with-
draw themselfs being threatened and menaced that they
were in danger of there life, all which was occasioned by y e
Annals^ ii. 13
146 The City Eecords.
Instigation of Jacob Milborne who is come hither with no
other Design then to overthrow all, as Plainly appears by all
his actions Deludeing y e Common Pec pie by Promiseing
them Priviledges and liber tyes and such like false notions
and Suggestions endeavouring to draw y e People off from
there obedience due to there Lawfull authority Confirmed
by there now Majesties William & Mary and to fill this
Citty and County with Divisions factions and Sedition to y e
utter Ruine of y e same Especially in this juncture while we
are Surrounded with y e heathen who Seing such Divisions
may undertake some Desperate Design and breake there
Covenant with us kept so many Years Inviolable
The Convention being met together in y e fort Sent Jo-
hannes Cuyler Ens : Jon : Sanders & Ens: abr Schuyler to
Leift Jochim Staets to know y e Certainty, if he had accepted
of y e Capt. place by virtue of such Illegal assembly or meet-
ing of y e People chooseing him so who made answer
m [Record is blank here]
This afternoon hend : ten Eyck was Sent by Jacob Mil-
borne with this following Paper to y e Convention Vizt.
Albany november y e llth 1689
Whereas I am authorized by y e Committee for the Pro-
vince of N: Yorke and y e Councill of warr for y e s d Citty
of N : Yorke aforesaid to order y e affaires att albany, and
in Pursuance thereof have made knowne there Demands
unto y e Convention (or as many as would appear) in y e
Toune house and y e Rest of y e Inhabitants according to
Direction of a letter there Delivered and fynde no Satisfac-
tion to my Proposealls, likewise haveing Discoursed some
Points more Particularly with them, whereupon it was
apointed y l I should Present y e Same in writeing this after-
noon accordingly I offer Vizt
That there should be a free and open Election for all
officers both Civill and Millitary for y e Citty and County of
Albany if it hath not been already done
That a Person should be chosen to Command y e Kings
fort Distinct from y e Civill function,
Th'at the articles for y e men brought hither may be
signed
The City Records. 147
That they would Consider of some Particulars Relateing
M r Thomas Sharpes Letter
That they would Produce there Evidence for grounding
there Resolution which Mss Livinus Van Schaick & Jochim
Staas were to Enform themselfs off, and act as thereby was
ordered
That they would Return me all y e old armes in the fort
which are unfixed in lieu off (or so many) as y e arms fur-
nished y e men withall at N : Yorke
That they would Please lett me know what Stores they
have for his Majesties service in his fort or can command
upon an attaque of y e french which god forbid
Signed JACOB MILBORNE
Die Martis 12 of November 1689
The Convention met together at y e house of Capt Jan
Janse Bleeker where it was unanimously Resolved to accept
of y e 50 men come from N : Yorke on no other terms Then
that they should be under y e Command of the Convention,
and Since y e members of y e Convention were So many it
was Resolved y l Eight should be nominate who should Repre-
sent y e Convention and Sign the articles with Jacob Mil-
borne, as by y^ articles can be showne with which Resolution
Capt Marte gerritse Livinus van Schaick & Johannes Cuyler
were sent to Jacob Milborne who Returning to y e Con-
vention Reported they had agreed upon y e articles which
were ordered to be drawn over fair
The Convention considering y e many Inconveniences
that would Ensue by Jochim Staets takeing upon himself
the office of Capt of that Company that came from N : Yorke
by such an Irregular way as was Practised yesterday by the
Common People in y e Citty hall proposed to him y e said
Captains Place till orders from there Majesties Provided he
would be obedient to y e Convention or authority of this
t Place, y 1 so by that means all jealousies and animosities
may be laide aside and Peace & Unity Established, & all to
goe hand in hand to defend their Majesties Interest, butty 6
3 d Jochim Staas did flattly Refuse itt.
148 The City Records.
Post Meridiem
The eight men appointed by y e Convention to Sign the
articles with mr. Milborne to witt, Pieter Schuyler Mayor
Capt Johannes Wendel Capt. Jan Bleeker kiliaen van Ren-
selaer Capt Sanders glenn, albert Ryckman, gerrit Ryerse &
Evert Banker went to y e house of Richard Pretty where s d
Milborne was (Except the Mayor who had Signed already)
and asked if he would sign y e articles, who denyed to have
made any such articles which caused many Debates, and y 1 y e
s d Milborne agreed upon y e Point in y e Presence of s d Gentle-
men ; Milborne correcting the Paper himself, & was aggreed
to make no more Alterations, but to be writ over fair &
Signed in y e morning making his excuse that he could not
attend it tthat night.
While y e s d Wendel and Bleeker were att Mr Prettyes
they were sent 'for to come to gabriel Thomsones where a
great Company of People were met together they sent y e
s d 2 Captains Wendell & Bleeker up with a Message to
y e fort to y e Mayor y l y e People were Resolved if he came
not into Toune to choose new military officers.
Die Mercury 13 November 1689
Johannes Cuyler and abraham Schuyler were Sent to
Jacob Milborne with y e following articles which were Con-
cluded the day before, to Enquire if he was ready to sign
them y e other Gentlemen being Ready, Vizt
ARTICLES made concerning y e Receiving of men
officers and Centinells Sent by y e Military officers of y e Citty
& County of N : Yorke upon y c Desyre of y e Mayor alder-
man Commonality and Military officers of y e s d County for
y e Security of there Majesties fort and y e out Plantations
and Inhabitants of y e Citty & County of albany against any
forreign or Domestick Enemies that shall Invade oppose or
resist there Majesties king William & queen Maryes Intrest,
which y e Subscribers as Representatives for y e Mayor alder-
men Commonality and Military officers of y e Citty of albany
and the Justices and Military officers of s d County doe
hereby oblige to Performe these undermentioned articles
The City Records. 149
1 That y e officers and Souldiers shall obey and Performe
Such Commands and Directions as they shall Receive from
time to time from y e Eight underwritten Persones
2 That y e s d Eight Subscribers shall quarter ye s d officers
and Souldiers as they shall see Convenient in the Citty &
County of albany who shall be well fedd Decently Lodged
according to there quality, Becomeing Persones in such
Services att y e Proper cost and charge of y e Citty & County
of albany
3 That they shall not be Exposed to any harder Service
or any wise more Irregularly treated then y e Rest of y e men
raised for y e same Purpose
4 That they shall Remain in s d Service from y e 9th of
november 1689 untill the 25th day of March as aforesaid
next ensueing or orders from there Majesty for longer Con-
tinuance, dureing which time from there Reception to y e
25th day .of March as aforesaid they shall and must Expect
there Pay or wages from them who sent them
5 That they shall be Particularly reguarded if any hap-
pen to be sick or Lame, or any ways Distempered according
to Christian Care of Phisicks and Requisite attendance
6 That y e s d men are not to choose any officers over them-
selfs but such officers as arg already come up with them
7 That y e s d Eight Underwriters shall be obliged to
pay y e Passage of y e s d men to N : Yorke thus Concluded
in albany y e 13th day of november 1689
The said Jacob Milborne said he had forgott some words
which must be Inserted, Particularly y e word Committee,
and also would first have an answer upon his Proposealls
which he Delivered on Munday Last before he would Sign
y e articles, y l s d Cuyler and Schuyler told him they could
make no alteration without y e Convention, but y' y e answer
to his Proposealls was Ready and Signd and would be De-
livered as soon as he signed the articles but not before
The Convention of Albanye's answer to Jacob Milbornes
Proposalls which was to be Deliverd as soon as he
Signd y e articles about y e men , else not
That they being y e Lawfull Civill and Military officers
of y e Citty & County of albany, and accordingly Since y e
150 The City Records.
Proclamation of there Majesties William & Mary king &
queen of England &c. in this Citty, have acted in there Re-
spective Stations without y e Least hinderance or obstruction
from any Person, who are Resolved with y e assistance of god
so to continue till orders comes from there most Sacred Ma-
jesties when they will be ready & willing to give an account
of all there actions during these Revolutions to such Person
or Persons as there Majesties shall be Pleased to Send hither
for y l purpose, thinking themselfs no ways obliged to article
with or Render any account of there Proceedings to any
Person Except they have Commission from there Majes-
ties now upon y e Throne, which we long have Expected and
waited for, & still with Patience shall waite till god shall
please to send it from England from there Majesties king
William & queen Mary whom god Long Preserve
And if y s d Milborne hath any Ammunition belonging
to there Majestic Stores. y e Convention Desyres he would
Land it, and let them have it for there Majesties fort they
are willing to give a Receit for y e same
Signd PR SCHUYLER Mayor
CLAES RIPSE VAN DAM alderm.
K : V : RENSELAER Justice
REYNIER BARENTS assistant
alb : 13 novembr 1689 SANDER GLENN Justice
The Convention haveing heard y e Report brougt them by
Johannes Cuyler & abraham Schuyler, were willing to come
to an accommodation if Possible & Resolved to graunt yt y e
word Committee might be Inserted & was also Resolved if
y e s d Milborne then Denyed to Sign y e articles to Deliver
him over this following Paper
Mr. JACOB MILBORNE
Wee are sorry you should give yourself and us so much
trouble concerning y e Receiving and Quartering of the fifty
men Sent up hither by y e gent : of N : Yorke, if therefore
there and y e Intentions be good & Reall for y e Security of
there Majesties king William & queen Marys Intrest and
the Safety of there Subjects here wherefore they were sent,
Then y e Convention Expect y u will Comply with y e an-
nexed articles which we declare was after many debates
The City Records. 151
fully Concluded and agreed upon Yesterday, & this is y e
Last Resolution which y e Convention can take in y l Subject,
neither will they Proceed to any further answers till this
Bussinesse be Ended Signd
Fort albany y e 13 of nov P r SCHUYLER Mayor
1689 iny e name of y e
Convention of albany
The S d Johannes Cuyler and abraham Schuyler were
sent y e 2d time with y e articles to Jacob Milborne who told
him yt y e word Committee as they called themselfs was graunt-
ed, & if he* was Ready to Sign, but answered he would
not Sign y e articles with many absurde words as y e s d 2
persones doe Relate upon which they delivered him y e above -
s d Paper.
This day Jacob Milborne caused y e Company of Souldiers
Come from N: Yorke, which for 2 nights Past had Lyen
at Marte gerritse's Island to march into Towne&y e Burgers
of y 1 faction Received them in there houses without billet-
ing or lawfull authority.
Die Jovis y e 14th of november 1689
The Mayor came doune to Towne and went with y e Con-
vention to y e Citty hall, were y e Burgers forthwith appeared
and there did Declare y e Rasons why he had Secured
there Majesties fort (since he had heard that diverse were
Dissatisfyed at his so doing) vizt that he had Received Suffi-
cient and Credible Information from N : Yorke, Especially
from alderman Schaick who was in there Meeting of there
Committe as they call it at N : Y : where he heard Jacob
Milborne say he would goe to Albany and see y e fort better
Secured, Shewing them further three Testimonyes Sworne
to, by which it did Evidently appear it was Concluded upon
to make an absolute change of government, to carry some
Persones Prisoners to N : Yorke, and so to make a generall
disturbance among y e People, and force us to Comply with
there new fashioned government Declareing further that he
he had Sent y e Recorder from* time to time with y e other
members of y e Convention to Discourse with Milborne Con-
cerning y e Receiving of 50 Souldiers, & to enquire with
152 The City Records.
what Power and authority he came here Upon which y e
Recorder Put them in minde of y e Discourse Past between
him and Milborne on Sunday's night concerning his autho-
rity, when it was Concluded upon to Consult next day about
y e Receiving and quartering of S d Company of men where-
abouts they had been in agitation till now j but See y l y e
Said Milborne is no ways Inclined to come to any agreement
Since it was Positively Concluded upon, but when it came
to Signing founde always Exceptions three Severall times
which was y e Reason y e Convention did not meet Sooner at
y e Citty hall, upon which y e articles was read concerning
y e quartering of y e 50 Souldiers which Pleased y e Burgers
very well and wished they might be Signed ; and Milborne
being fetched was asked if Such articles were not Concluded
upon who Confessed Yess but that he had given some Pro-
posealls to y e Convention, which he first would have an-
swered and then Sign to y e articles.
But y e Convention Replyed y l he had Delivered y e articles
concerning y e quartering y e men on munda^r morning & y e
Proposealls on Munday afternoon, and was therefore fitting
that first an Issue should be made of y e articles before an
answer be given to y e Proposealls, and y l y e answer to y e
Proposealls was Ready to be delivered assoon as he had
Signd to y e articles, But Refused in y e p'sence of Twelve
men whom y e People had chosen to be Present to hear y e
Debates between y e Convention and y e s d Milborne ; where-
upon a Certain Paper was Read which had been Delivered to
y e s d Milborne y e day before, y e Purport of which was that
they were not Designed to give him any answer to his Pro-
posealls before he had Signd to y e articles which was ap-
proved off by s d 12 men Since it was Plainly Demonstrate
how y e s d milborne had from time to time intended to Delay
and Deceive them as by y e Testimoneys can appear
The Convention Said to y e s d 12 men that they had used
there uttmost Endeavors, & asked if they could Propose or
think of any better means or method they would doe well
to tell them,, and Desyred them to Consult about y e matter
upon which after Consultation they Deputed three of y e 12
men to witt Harnie gansevoort Peter van waggelum and Je-
ronimus wendell who made Report to y e Convention then
all together at y e Mayors house at Least Eighteen in number
The City Records. 153
Harme gansevoort being there Speaker, That they Concurrd
with y e Convention and y l y e s d Milborne ought to Sign y e
articles, and that y e Convention could doe no more then they
had done Referring further the mannagement of that affaire
to y e general 1 Convention Since they were Resolved to trou-
ble themselfs no more about it.
Die Vpneris 15th of november 1689
Itt is orderd to be Entred how y l Jacob Milborne came
to there Majesties fort of albany on y e 15th day of november
1689 with a Company of armed men, who upon his approach
was charged by a messenger sent a Purpose not to come
without y e gates of y e Citty nevertheless Marchd up and
made Demand of there Majesties fort who was answered by
y e Mayor Pieter Schuyler Esq r Commander of y e s d fort,
Thatt he kept y e Same for there Majesties king william
& queen niary, & Commanded them away in there Majesties
name with his Seditious Company j^vho after he had at-
tempted to gett into y e gate haveing one foot in was thrust
out withdrew himself & Company to within y e gates of y e
Citty, and there Putt. up y e Kings Jack facing to y e fort,
and Jacob Milborne after he had charged them to Load
there -guns with Bullets came to y e Citty gate & Read a
Paper.
A Company of Maquase who were come here for y e assist-
ance of there Majesties Subjects Standing upon y e hill neer
y e fort and being Spectators to all these tumolts Sent word
by hille Pieterse y e Interpreters Sister to y e fort to acquaint
y e Mayor -and ye other gentlemen that Since they were in
a firm Convenant chain with us, and Seeing yt y e People
of N : Yorke came in a hostile manner to Disturbe their
Brethren in y e fort which was for our and there Defence,
Desyred y l y e said hille should tell them if any of those
men came without y e gates to approach y e fort they would
fyre upon them and charged there gunns,
Upon which the members of y e Convention then p'sent in
y e fort caused this following Protest to be Read off one of
y e Mounts
154 The City Records.
Fort albany y e 15th day of november 1689
Whereas one Jacob Milborne hath with a Company of
armed men, come up to there Majesties fort in a hostile
manner with full arms and Demanded Possession thereof
from y e Mayor of y e Citty who has y e Command of y e same'
who Declared to keep said fort for there Majesties William
& Mary untill there orders comes but y e said Jacob Milborne
as a Tumultuous & Mutinous Person doth Proceed to occa-
sion great Disturbance to there Majesties Liege People, by
again faceing to y e fort with Loaden arms, Especially so
many heathens to witt Maquase being y e Spectators thereof
who seems to be upon y e Point to undertake some Danger-
ous Design, The Convention of y e Civil & Military officers
of y e Citty & County of albany now at p'sent in y e fort doe
therefore Protest hereby in their Majesties King William
& Queen Maryes name before god and y e world against y e
s d Milborne and his Seditious Troops, for all Dammages
Murthers Bloodsheds ^Plunderings and other mischieffs which
may Ensue by his Rebellious actions and charge him & them
fort
P r SCHUYLER Mayor
and commander of there Majesties fort
The Protest being Read hille akus Sister told y l y e In-
dians were very much Dissatisfyed & if Milborne did not
withdraw with his Company they would fyre upon him,
whereupon y e Mayor Desyred Doctor Dellius & y e Recorder
to goe to y e Indians tb Pacify and quiet them for y e Bussi-
ness was y l a Person without Power or authority would be
Master over y e gentlemen here which they would nott ad-
mitt ; the Indians answered goe and tell him that if he come
out of y e gates we will fyre upon him, which Doctor Dellius
forthwith Communicated to y e s d Milborne at y e head of
his Company in y e Presence of a great many Burgers who
made no further attempt to goe to y e fort, but Marched doune
y e towne and Dismissed his men
Die Saturni y 16th of november A 1689
Notwithstanding^* y e Burgers according to their Duty
had Referred y e Bussinesse concerning y e quartering of y e
The City Records. 155
Souldiers to y e Convention on y e 14 instant nevertheless by
y e Perswasion of Jacob Milborne some of y e Inhabitants
gathered together att y e house of Gabriel Thompson, where
Sundrey of y e Very same Persones appeard who were De-
puted by the People Two days agoe to acquaint y e Conven-
tion that they Referred y e management of y l affaire wholly
to them
And these following Persones to witt Harme Gansevoort
Pieter Bogardus Myndert harmense Dirk Bensing an Peter
Van Waggelum Private but Extream active men in these
Revolutions have taken upon them to sign a Contract
with ye s d Milborne concerning y e s d Company of Souldiers,
not only without y e least knowledge or Intimation of y e Con-
vention but after they were warned to y e contrary who took
upon them y e Charge as overseers of s d Company together
with Jochim Staets who was made there Captain, who with
much Perswasion of s d Milborne at last was accepted by y e
men to be there Captain y e s d Milborne went away leaving
said Company here in such Confusion.
Die Lun. 25 novembris 1689
Capt Bull arrived at y e Green Bush with 87 men from
N : England on Teusday following marched with flying Col-
lors into Citty where he was Reed by y e mayor & aldermen
att y e gate & bid welcom, he Drew up his men in y e midle
of y e Broad Street gave three volleys & was answered by 3
gunns from y e fort y e men were orderly quartered in y e
Citty and extreamly well accepted.
The 29 day of november 1689
Leift Enos Talmadge of Captain Buls Company marched
with 24 men to Shinnectady to keep y l Post as it was agreed
upon by y e 5 gentlemen appointed by y e Convention & y e
Capt Bull & Jochim Staets.
Whereas Ensign abraham Janse is ordered to convey three
men with thirty horses to woodberry who came here with
y e Souldiers sent hither for there Majesties Service These
are in there Majesties name King William & Queen Mary
to will and Require all there Majesties Subjects of this
County of albany and to Desyre all there- .Majesties Subjects
in y e neighbouring Counties and Collony to be aideing and
156 The City Records.
assisting to y e s d Ensign and three men in y e Prosecution of
there journey and to furnish them with such necessaries as
they and there horses shall have occasion upon s d Journey
being for there Majesties Service given att y e Citty hall of
albany ye 26th day of november in y e first year of there
Majesties Reign A 1689
PETER SCHUYLYR Justice of y e Peace
By the Mayor aldermen and Commonality and Military
officers of y e Citty of albany and Justices of y e Peace
and Military officers of y e s a County
Wee haveing taken into Consideration y e Lamentable
Condition of this Citty and County, occasioned by a dread-
full warr threatened from without, of which our neighbours
and allyes have already felt y e smart, as also y e manifold
Divisions and factions which are amongst y e Inhabitants
within* which are fatall Tokens for Land & Church, It is
therefore thought Convenient to keep a Day Extraordinary
for fasting & Prayer upon Weddensday y e 4th of December
1689 to Pray to almighty god (whose wrath and anger for
our manifold Sinns and transgressions is Righteously kin-
dled against us) for Pardon and Remission of Sinns and to
free us from y e bloody Sworde of our Enemies without and
Especially from y e Inhuman Barbarity of y e heathen, and
on ye other side to bynde y e hearts and mindes of y e People
within, with Love and unity to y e Praise of almighty God
and ye welfare of y e Church and Country, Prohibiting there-
fore upon s d day all manner of servile worke all Rideing
Playing or other sorts of Recreation which may hinder or
obstruct y e worship of God that day Chargeing and Com-
manding Expressly all y e Inhabitants of this Citty & County
to keep y e said fast day most Solemnly, Thus given att y e
Citty hall of albany at a meeting of y e Convention y e 27th
day of november 1689 in y e first year of there Majesties
Reign
God Save King William & queen Mary
Capt. Sander glenn Leift John van Eps & Ens : Joh :
Sanders took ye oath of fidelity to there Majesties before
Peter "Schuyler Mayor Justice of y e Peace
The City Records. 157
Att a Convention &c.
albany y 28th day of November 1689
It was thought Convenient by y e Convention y l 5 of there
members should be appointed to have a Conference with
Capt Jonathan Bull & Mr Jochim Staets concerning y e Soul-
diers they have under there Command here in Toune.
And for that Purpose were nominated Dirk Wessells Capt
Marte gerritse Levinus Van Schaick Capt Sander glenn &
Johannes Cuyler who in y e behalfe of y e Convention told
them they had Two Companies Lyeing in y e Toune and y*
y e out Plantations were not secured where y e Enemy first
must be expected as Shinnectady half moon and Canasta-
gioene, Desyred them to consider y l some men might be
sent thither with all Expedition, upon which Capt Bull
Proposed to Mr. Jochim Staets to take tenn men out of his
Company & y e said Capt Bull would take Twenty men of his
Company make in all 30 men & send to Shinnectady, upon
which Mr. Staets answered he was but weake had but 46 or
47 men, & he would not breake his files he must at least
keep 10 files, upon which Capt Bull Replyed y 1 he could
not Expect that they would always be compleat for sicknesse
and diverse other accidents might happen, Mr. Staets Pro-
posed y 1 Capt Bull should send 24 men to Shinnectady &
y l he Staets would join six of his Company with six of Capt
Bulls men to goe and lye at y e half moon & y l by Turns one
should have y e Command 14 days & then the other where-
upon Dirk Wessells answered that there was no quarters for
12 men at y e half moon but that some men might goe to
Canastagioene where 6 could be conveniently quarterd and
y 1 was a Dangerous Passe also But Capt Bull said he did
not care to have his men so Scattered about.
The s d Gent: told Mr Staes that y e Convention were De-
syreous to know upon what account that N : Yorke Com-
pany lay there & if he would submitt himself to them Since
they had not seen his Commission, he answerd he could not
doe that since there were other overseers or weesfaders as
he termed them appointed over his men, but he Promised
& would Swear y 1 nothing should be acted or done by him
against y e Convention althogh new orders did come, & de-
syred y 1 y e Convention would advise and Consult with these
Annals, ii. 14
158 The City Records.
overseers upon which they answerd that there was many
Dissections in ye Place already & by such Confusion and so
many masters y e Contention would augment and Increase,
Mr Staets Replied it is now so we must doe as well as we
can Joh : Cuyler asked to see his Commission but Refused
to show it and so broke off from y l discourse and Returned
to y e former Proposealls concerning y e Sending out men to
garrison y out Plantations, & it was finally Concluded that
24 men of Capt Bulls Company should goe to Shinnectady
and 6 of his men to Paepsknee & of Mr. Jochim Staets men 6
to y e half moon
And as Justices of y e Peace they desyred y e Commission
officers to call a Court Marshall in y e afternoon to setle y e
watch in y e Toune y x all Things may goe Regularly as was
done
But that which was concluded upon on y e forenoon was
alterd by some of y e Military officers in there meeting un-
known to y e 5 gentlemen Viz 1 y' Mr Staets should send of
his men ten to Shinnectady & Capt Bull 20, butt took no
care for y e half moon as was concluded upon by y e Commis-
sioners of y e general Convention Nevertheless y l which was
Concluded upon by y e Deputies of y e Convention & Capt
Bull and Mr Staets was thougt fitt by y e Convention to be
Performed & Capt Bull accordingly sent his Lieft with 24
men to Shinnectady to keep that post but Mr Staets would
send out no men as was agreed upon, but went to Shinnec-
tady with some others of y l faction, Insomuch y l y e Mayor
himself & some other gent : were necessitated to goe thither
to see y e men of Capt Bulls Company quartered
Att a Convention &c. Albany 14th December 1689 Present
Peter Schuyler Mayor David Schuyler
D. Wessells Recorder Evert Banker
Joh: Wendell Reynier Barentse
Liv V Schaik Joh : Cuyler
Jan Bleeker Gert Ryerse
Claes Ripse Kiliaen V. Renselaer
Albert Ryckman C. Marte gerritse
Resolved y l some money be Raised by way of Loan for y e
Paying of Capt Bull & y e other 2 Commission officers come
The City Becords. 159
from Canetticut according to Contract who are to have 8
shil per diem upon which y e Recorder & Mr Van Renselaer
were sent to Mrs. Schuyler who is willing to advance 18 : for
a month without Intrest but if it be not Repaid in s d Time
to have moderate intrest & y l shee may have a Bonde for
y e Payment of y e Same upon which this following: Bill was
orderd to be writt
KNOW all men by these Presents y l we whose names are
underwritten members of y e Convention of albany doe ac-
knowlege to have Reed of Mrs. Margret Schuyler y e Somme
of Eighteen Pounds Courant money of this Province which
is toward y e payment of Capt Bull and y e other Commission
officers come from Canetticut according: to Contract which
s d Somme if it be paid in y e Space of a month after y e date
hereof then no intrest has to be paid but if it be not justly &
honestly Paid & satisfyed to y e s d Mrs. Margret Schuyler
her heirs Executors administrators or assigns in y e Space
of a month after y e date hereof then we whose names are
hereunto Subscribed doe Promise Engage and oblige our-
selfs joyntly and severally our heirs Executors and ad-
ministrators and every of them firmly by these p'sents to
pay or cause to be paid unto y e s d Mrs. Margret Schuyler
her heirs Executors administrators & assigns y e s d Somme
of 18: with y e Interest of y e same at Per cento to be
Reckond from y e 18 of January next. In witnesse whereof
cember 1689
we have hereunto sett our hands in albany y e day of De-
Resolved y l Dirk albertse Bratt and hendrik gerritse be
sent for from Sarachtoge.
[Translation.]
Albany 16th December 1689
The Albany Convention having received the following
news it is sent from the Mohawk Sachems by post to Akus
to be forwarded to us.
1. That 10 Nations of Twigh Twighs are coming to the
5 Nations to destroy them.
2. That two of the Indian prisoners who were sent to
France have returned back home, who say that Ambas^ac^r^
must come to Canida. \|&*
160 The City Records.
3. That the Oonondages have sent for the Mohawk war-
riors and Sachems and that they must bring belts with them.
4. That the Mohawk prisoners were to France with the
Cowherd who was taken prisoner at Onnondage.
5. That Cadarachqui is abandoned by the French.
Whereupon the gentlemen resolved to send Lawrence alias
Jannetje the Indian to Onnondage to learn the truth hereof,
and to forbid them in our name to send Ambassadors to
Canida or to receive any according to our Treaty not to
trust the French, and if they let them cheat them not to
blame us : and to communicate the following news to them.
That 2 ships have come direct from England to N. Eng-
land, which give for news
1. That almost all the large Ships of War are sailed full
of people towards France, to seize it; full 300,000 men.
2. That 150 ships are ready to come westward to convoy
our ships.
3. That we have here a brave Troop of Souldiers and if
we want more, there are full 200 in the Sopus, and 3 or 400
in N. England.
This is sent in a letter to Sweer Teunise who shall go to
Akus to interpret it correctly to him.
Mr. MAYOR Worthy and beloved friend Sr pieter Schuyler.
Ambassadors from Onondage and Oneyda arrive here just
now who report to us that I must accompany them to Albany
to interpret their propositions to you. As it is inconvenient
for me at present I have taken the liberty to put their
meaning on paper.
They let your Honour thus Know that the news received
from Canada shall not be communicated before all the Sa-
chems have assembled. Your Honour & Johannes Wendel
and I are sent for Express to be present there as they will not
discuss the. matter until you are there, and then your
Honour shall also deliberate on it in order to consult with
them as to what may occur to You.
They have again seen three of their Indians who were
prisoners, but they do not expect to have them back again
as they must return quickly to Canada. They also assure
you that they are not going to lie on there backs in conse-
The City Records. 161
quence of these tidings of peace, and learn to fight only by
looking Sideways at it but they shall again grapple with it
because Many of their War chiefs ( Veltoversten) have re-
mained in that Country.
They also say that had the Governor of Canada sent the
prisoners back home to us as soon as they had come from
France, they had in no wise determined on peace, inasmuch
as only thirteen survived : all the remainder died of Sickness.
They hear two letters have come to the Jesuit one from
the Governor, the other from Pere Lamberville. They
had consulted to wit, those of the Domine's side to burn
them, but the more cunning Sachems advised that they
should be opened before the full Council ; your Honour will
then be able to see whether they will contain any deception
If, on the other hand there be ruone, they shall then be
handed to the owners.
They also acquaint your Honour that it is a lie that 10
nations of Savages came to destroy them, but Ambassadors
of 7 different Nations have come in Zinnodo Wan ha and
restored 2 Seneca prisoners and promised to give up 4 more
of them as soon as they shall have returned home ; also to
treat for peace, and say there are 3 Nations which would
continue the War, namely the KigJitages and the Twight-
wighs and the Sawenochques and give 2 Strings of Zewant
with this letter.
The 3 prisoners from Canada had reported that Cuada-
roghque is abandoned and they found 30 barrels of powder
there ; among the rest was a barrel of Match in a hole which
they intended to set fire to and thus to burn up the others.
But it went out of itself, after burning an ell in length.
There found considerable booty both in beaver and peltries
in the fort. Six of the principal officers were drowned
after they left the fort and fled to Canada, with divers sol-
diers but they know not how many.
They further say that they had proposed this to Duinan-
dougha, whereupon the Cajadorus answers If my brothers
do not find it convenient for them to journey so far, they
would come to Duinandoughe, and should your Honour in-
form him of your wish it shall be faithfully attended to
provided your honour send along one, two or three Strings.
162 The City Records.
Jo more than commending you to the Lord with the hearty
Salutations of your Servantby my order.
JACQUES CORNELISEN
This 25th December A 1689
Addressed Aen d'E. Achtbare Mr
Major Pieter Schuyler Residerende tot Albany.
At a Convention of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonality
and Military officers of y e Citty and County of Albanie
ye 27th day of December 1689
Five messengers called Desagochquaetha Arachkoenichta
Dehashedis Rashiedeagoe and Adochtirasse being sent by
the Sachims of onnondage and Oneyde to acquaint us and
them of New England that there are three of y e Indians
come back into y e Country which were sent Prisoners to
France, who are Sent by them of Canida to Propose a Peace
or Truce, but that they have Resolved not to hear them till
Some Gentlemen goe from hence to be Present at there
general meeting at Onnondage, and there Consult what
shall be necessary for y e Publike good Doe Say further that
there are 13 Indians come back from France the Rest being
23 all dead of Sicknesse and that there are Two Letters In-
tercepted which y e Governor of Canida and father Lamber-
ville had Sent to y e Jesuit in Oneyde, which they keep till
y e gentlemen from hence arrive there, when they will be
opend to see what Treachery the french Design
That there are messengers from Seven of y e farr nations
come to y e Sinnekes who Speake of Peace haveing Deliverd
Two Sinn eke Prisoners and Promisd to Deliver foure more
as soon as they come home, and y' three of y e farr nations
will Continue y e warr.
They bring further news y* Cadarachqui is Deserted by y e
french and that y e Indians have founde thirty Barrells of
Pouder and abundance of Beverand Peltry there and y*
Six of y e Principle officers were Drownd in goeing home to
Canida from Cadarachqui and Sundry Souldiers.
Vpon which it was Resolved unanimously to Send Caristasie
Tosoquatho and Jurian three ofy e most Prudent Maquasse
Thither to onnondage with this answer it not being
thought Convenient at this juncture to Send Christians
from y e Convention.
The City Records. 163
1 Wee are glad to hear y l y e Report of y e 10 nations of
Indians Westward comeing Doune to Destroy y w is false
and on y e other Side much Rejoyced that Seven of s d nations
are Inclined for Peace, which we y e more must Recommend
to y e Brethren y l yowmay have y e Larger Scope to Revenge
your Selfs of y e French for y e Blood shed by that false
nation, who are now in a mean Condition, and think to
Ensnare yow with y e 13 Prisoners they have sent for from
france, and haveing obtained Such a Peace, will have y e
better opportunity to Catch a great number of y e people as
they did in y e Last Peace, Therefore we doe Recommend
you (as we are in a fast Covenant chain together) not to
hearken to y e french nor Speak to them of Peace Since our
great king is in actual warr with s d nation
2 We would come in Person to be Present at your meet-
ing according to your Desyre, but we have Reed a Ship from
England which brings us Certain news, that there is a
governor for us upon y e way with many Souldiers & is
Expected every houre, when we shall Send you an Expresse
to Onnondage a horseback hopeing to have orders by our
Governor that y e English may unanimously goe and Root
out Canida
3 Concerning ye 13 Prisoners come from france being all
that is to be founde of 39 our advise is y* yow make Demand
of them Positively of y e French, being Stole from yow and
Deceitfully taken in time of Peace, in y e 2d Place if y e
french there hearts were good, they would have sent yow y e
Prisoners assoon as they came from france. Therefore doe
not heare them Speake of any thing before they have Sent
you back your Thirteen Prisoners, But yow need not be
affraid of your Prisoners So Long as yow have y e Jesuit and
So many french in your Countrey whom yow must keep
verry well to be Exchanged as was done in Col Dongans
time ; It is certain they are in no hazard that yow should be
so hasty to release them, they will nott kill them it not
being y e Christians fashion.
4 And for y e Brethrens more Incouragement we can assure
y w yt the French king hath his hands so full that he can-
not assist Canida much, Yow may See this Plainly by there
Leaving Cadarachqui.
5 That they send y e Two Letters writt by y e governor of
Canida and Lamberville y e Priest, to y e Jesuit at Oneyde
164 The City Eecords.
hither if not already done, and shall Inform them with y e
Contents thereof, and take Especiall care that the messengers
that Return to Canida Carry no Letters from y e Jesuit or
any body Else thither.
A true Copy Examind per
ROBERT LIVINGSTON Clk
Att a Convention &c. Albany, Die Sabbathi y e 5th of Janu-
ary 16 |f Present Peter Schuyler Mayor D Wessells
Recorder Captain John wendel Liv : van Schaik C. J.
Bleeker Claes Ripse David Schuyler albert Ryckman
C. Marte gerritse Kilian van Renselaer Reynier Barents
Evert Banker gert Ryerse.
It was again put to y e vote whether any members of y e
Convention should goe to Onondage to be Present at y e
general meeting of y e Indians.
But was unanimously Resolved upon y e negative Confirm-
ing there Resolution of y e 27 of december last since it is
judged dangerous to be there if y e Indians should Conclude
of 'any Peace or truce which they some times have done
notwithstanding all Perswasions to y e Contrare, and since
Tahaiadoris cheeffe sachim of y e JVLaquase is bounde thither
It is thougt Convenient y l he Repeat y e 5 articles sent by
Caristasie and Tosoquawo thither and withall put them in
mind that this is the Prefixed house to speake of Peace and
all Publike affaires and not Onondage, and y l y e Sachim
sent for by y e governor of Canida by no means goe thither
to Treat or act with our great Kings Enemies, and y* we
hope y l y e 5 nations will not be so mad as to hearken to
any Peace with the treacherous french at such a juncture
when y e greatest hopes is of Totally Rooting there name
out in America but on y e Contrare take y e wholesome advice
ofthere Brethren y e Christians, who knows what is for there
Security better then they doe themselfs Lastly to Charge &
Command them to make no Peace truce or any sort of ami-
cable treaty with y e french Since his Majesties Declaration
of warr against them which hes been so much longed for by
y e English nation is now come over and as they are subjects
of our great King of England Soe they can not expect to
keep y e Covenant chain Inviolable with this government
The City Records. 165
and make Peace with Canida while we are in actual warr
with said nation. Therefore Remember we have warned y e
y* if any evill be fall y u you must always acknowledge we
gave you fair advertisement.
It was also Resolved y' Tahaiadoris should have a faddem
of Duffels a shirt and a Pare of Stockings.
And y* a Belt of wampum should be sent to y e 4 Sachims
of Dowaganhaes or farr nations to Congratulate y e Peace
made between them & y e Sinnekes.
Att a Meeting &c.
Albany January 6th 16 f$
Present as before except Kiliaen van Renselaer &gertRyerse
absent.
The Convention being mett again to consult about y e
affaires of y e Indians y e members continue in there opinion
y l none of y e Convention goe thither to y e Indians general
meeting, but Considering that it is of great Import, and that
they may be y e more Certain and Satisfied y 1 y e Proposealls
sent to said Indians by Tosoquatho Caristasie and Jurian
may be Exactly and Peremptorily told them ; according as
it is mentioned in y e 5 articles Concluded upon y e 27 decem-
ber last.
It is Resolved y l arnout Cornelise sworne Interpreter goe
thither toOnnondage withall Convenient speed who Desyres
y l one may be appointed to goe along with him y 1 tinder-
stands y e Language, upon which Robert Sanders was pitched
upon to goe for his assistance who upon his arrival! there
shall take Especiall Care y l y e 5 articles be Plainly told to
y e Sachims in there general meeting which are herewith
given you, & further in our name to acquaint
PROPOSITIONS to be made by Arnout Cornelise Interpeter
to whom Robert Sanders is joyned for assistance in y e
Indians Generall meeting at onnondage in ye name and
behalfe of y e Convention of albanie over and above y e
5 articles sent them by Caristasie Tosoquatho and Jurian
albany y e 6th day of January 16f$
1 That albanie is y e Prefixed house to Treat and Speak
of peace with all Sorts of people and y 1 they who Strive to
166 The City Records.
make a Peace or Cessation with y e french must be lookt up-
on as persones who are Designd to make a breach in y. e great
Silver Covenant chain which hath been So many years kept
Inviolable by this government
2 That they must look upon themselfs as they are, to witt
Subjects of y great king of England who cann make no
peace with them who are his Publik enemies You have
felt y e smart of makeing peace with the french nation al-
ready, when they were allijes of our Great king, then you
did it without our Consent
3 That y e Sachim Degannesore who is sent for by the
governour of Canida by no means goe thither since they are
absolute Enemies of our great king whose Declaration of
warr is now come to hand which hath so long been Desyred
by y e English nation in which Declaration his majestic for-
bids all his subjects to keep the least Correspondence with
y l false nation
4 Never could there be greater Disobedience and madnesse
Committed by people then for y e 5 nation to hudle up a sort
of peace or Cessation of arms with y e french at this Juncture
when y e greatest hopes are of rooting out of y e Very name
of y e French in america by the English who are Twenty to
one of y e french in Canida
5 We have sent Arnout Cornelise y e Interpreter accom-
panied with Robert Sanders to be present at your Generall
meeting not only to Poure understanding into yow, but in
our name to Charge and Command yow as you love y e pro-
texion of our great king and y e friendeship of this Govern-
ment by no means to hearken to nor make any peace or
Cessation or truce with y e french Directly or indirectly.
6 Thatt y Sachims Endevor to perswade 3 or 400 Indians
to come towards our Confines ahunting to be as skouts to
watch y e french Designs for when they most Speak of peace
then warr is in there hearts and therefore are not to be
trusted since they have called all there Garrisons together to
mont Roy all
Was Signed PR SHUYLER mayor
DIRK WESSELLS Justice
JOH : WENDEL Justice
JAN JANSE BLEEKER Justice
A True Copy Examind per
ROB T LIVINGSTON Ck
The City Becords. 167
At a Convention of the Mayor Aldermen Commonality and
Military Officers of y e Citty of Albanie and Justices and
Military Officers of the Said County, held in Albanie
Die Saturni den llth Januarie A 16|$ Present Peter
Schuyler mayor, Captain John wendel, Captain Jan
Bleeker, David Schuyler, Reynier Barents, Gert Ryerse,
-Captain Marte Gerritse, Dirk Wessels Recorder, Livinus
Van Shaik, Claes Ripse, Albert Ryckman Evert
Banker, Kilian van Renselaer, Joh : Cuyler
A Certain Letter was brougt into y e Convention by
Captain Johannes Wendell Signd by Jacob Leysler the Con-
tents whereof are as follows
New Yorke y 28th December 1689
GENTLEMEN I having Receivd orders from his Ma-
jestie KING WILLIAM for takeing care of this Government
have Commissionated Captain Jochim Staas To take into his
Possession Fort Orange and keep y e Souldiers in good order
and Discipline, and y l y e Magistracy may be in a good
Decorum have Ordered and doe hereby Order that free
Elections be forthwith made for a Mayor and Aldermen
whom I have Signified to Captain Staas with whom Pray
Correspond and give all due assistance for his Majesties
Intrest and y e Safety of y l Citty and County yt so Peace
and Tranquillity may be Preserved amongst you, untill wee
shall Receive further orders from y e King, which is y e need-
full matter 'at present from
Your Loveing Frinde
JACOB LEYSLER
The Superscription was
To y e Military and Civill officers and y e Protestant freemen
Inhabitants of y e Citty and County of Albanie
Vpon which it was Resolved by y e Convention to send
the high Sherriffe of y e Citty and County to y e said Jochim
Staas with this message
WHEREAS a Certain Letter of Jacob Leysler dated y 28th
day of December Last at N : Yorke hath been Read in the
Convention, wherein he writes j l he Jacob Leysler hath Re-
ceived orders from KING WILLIAM for y e takeing care of
168 The City Records.
this Government and accordingly Commissionated Jochim
Staasto take into his Possession fort Orange and Orders free
for a mayor and Aldermen whom he hath Signified Elections
now met together .that Richard Pretty Esquire high SherrifFe
toy 6 s d Staas, It is therefore thougt Convenient by y e conven-
tion of y e Citty and County of Albanie doe Repare to Jochim
Staas, and Demand if any such orders from our Souveraign
Leidge Lord KING WILLIAM be sent to him as Jacob Leysler
mentions in his Letter, Being Desyreous to see them that we
may Conform and Behave our Selfs accordingly : Since y e
Preservation of y e Peace of our Souveraign Lord KINO
WILLIAM as it is a duty Incumbent upon us, So it is our only
aim to have y e same kept Inviolable in these Dangerous
times
Sign.d DIRK WESSELS Justice
P B SCHUYLER Mayor
MARTE GERRITSE Justice
Liv : VAN SCHAIK Justice
of y e Peace
EVERT BANKER assistant
The high SherifFeR : Pretty Esquire Returns from Jochim
Staas and says that he hath Deliverd him y e message & y l
said Jochim Staas comes Presently
Jochim Staas appears in y e Convention and says he doth
not Intend to answer y e Convention and says he doth not
Intend to answer y e Convention by writeing but by Dis-
course, alledgeing that he might be Ensnared by writeing
upon which the Gentlemen did Insist, that if he had any
Lawfull Authority Devolved from our Souveraign Lord
KING WILLIAM upon Jacob Leysler, that he would be pleased
to show itt, they were willing to Obey, and notwithstanding
y e orders were not Directed to Mr Leysler yet they were
willing with all cheerfullnesse to Obey such orders as-were
Comprehended in said Letters, but cannot obey Captain
Leysler as Leift governor Except his Majestic hath made
him soe, upon which Jochim Staas Replyed y 1 we knew well
eneugh y e KING'S Letters were Directed to Captain Nichol-
son and in his absence to such as for y e time being take care
for y e Preserveing y e Peace and administring the Laws in
their Majesties Province of New Yorke, and further said
The City Records. 169
Lett y e Bell be Rung and Lett all y e People come Together
and then he would show what he had to show, Whereupon
y e gentlemen of ye Convention Replyed that they were not
willing to Runn into Confusion to Convein y e People beforo
they knew what to Publish or Declare to them; and withall
Desyred Since he acknowledged to have a Proclamation for
y e Proclaimeing of there Majesties King and Queen of
England Scotland France and Irland &a which of Scotland
hath not hitherto been done here, that they might have
there Majesties Proclamation to Proclaim there s d Majesties
accordinly, and they would cause the Companies come in
arms, & doe it with what Solemnity the Place could afford,
but y e s d Jochim Staas answered y l y e Proclamation was
sent to him, & he would Obey Orders
Post Meridiem.
Jochim Staas accompanied with Peter Bogardus came to
y e Convention and there showd an Order from Jacob Leysler
authorizeing Jochim Staas assisted with y e Freeholders and
Inhabitants of Albanie to Proclaim William and Mary
Prince and Princesse of Orange to be king and Queen of
England Scotland France and Irland &a Since he y e s d
Leysler had Received Letters from y e Lords of his Majesties
most honorable Privy Councill dated y e 29th day of July
1689 to Proclaim there Majesties if not already done, to
which Intent he had sent a Proclamation for y e Same Pur-
pose which Proclamacon is made by y e s d Leysler and not
a Proclamation sent hither by there Majesties as y e Gentle-
men of the Convention did Conclude and Expect it was.
VPON which many Debates were made, But Jochim Staes
Insisted Principally if the Gentlemen did not acknowledge
Captain Leysler to be Lieutenant Governor and Commander
in Cheeffe of this Province, and whither they would obey
him as Such.
The Gentlemen of y e Convention asked if he had nothing
else to show which Impoured Captain Leysler to be Lieu-
tenant Governor then those Papers now Produced and if he
had y e Copies of y e Letters Sent by his Majestic for y e
Province of N : Yorke, who Replyed, If he did show the
Copies thereof then yow would say it was Milborn's writeing,
Annals ii. 15
170 The City Records.
he Staas shewd a Commission from Leysler to take Posses-
sion of fort Orange and an order for a day of Thanksgiveing.
The Convention told Jochim Staas that if be could Produce
but ye Least orders from his Majesty King William directed
to Jacob Leysler then they would obey him and Submitt,
Else thougt itt not answerable to Obey his Commands in y e
Least, but desyred Copies of those Papers which he shewed,
& they would Consider y e Bussinesse when Some members
of y e Convention who were not in Toune were made ac-
quainted with itt and give him there answer in writeing
telling him withall they were Intended to write to Captain
Leysler about it, but y e s d Jochim Staas did not think it
Convenient to give Copies of y e s d Papers and so went away
he and Peter Bogardus together.
Att a Meeting of there Majesties Justices of y e Peace of y e
Citty and County of Albany Die Sabbathi L2' n() Janu-
ary A 16f Post Meridiem Present P' Schuyler May'
Dirk Wessells Record 1 " Cap 1 Job : Wendel Cap 1 Jan
Bleeker Livinus van Schaik David Schuyler Alb 1 Ryck-
man Cap 1 Marte Gerritse Kiliaen van Renselaer Claes
Ripse Justices ofy e Peace.
ALL the Justices of y e Peace of y e Citty and County of
Albanie except Major Abraham Staas Dirk Teunise and
Captain Sander Glen were Conveined together to give
their opinions whether Captain Jacob Leysler ought to
be Esteemed and acknowledged to be y e Lieutenant Go-
vernor and Commander in Cheefe of the Province Since
nothing hitherto hath been Produced to there view from his
most Sacred Majesty KING WILLIAM our Souveraign Leige
Lord whereby they can acknowlege him soe, only takes upon
him y e Title in Severall Papers which have been showne
by Jochim Staas yesterday.
Peter Schuyler Mayor his vote is that he cannot acknow-
lege y e s d Captain Leysler to be Lieutenant Governor and
Commander in Cheeffe of this Province nor Obey his orders
till he hath showne that he hath Lawfull Authority from
his most Sacred Majesty KING WILLIAM so to be.
Dirk Wessells votes y e same with y e Mayor
The City Records. 171
Captain Wendel is van opinie ora dat hy sich Sodanigh
Shryft als Luytenant Governeur en Commandeur an Chef,
dat zyn verstant niet & can beseffen off het sodanigh is of
niet & is ;
Captain Jan Jansz Bleeker is of y same opinion with
Captain Wendell which being translated is as follows that
because he writes himself soe as Lieutenant Governor and
Commander in Cheeffe, That his understanding cannot Com-
prehend whither it be soe or not soe
Livinus van Schaik is of y e Same opinion with y e Mayor
David Schuyler is of y e same opoinion with y e Mayor
Albert Ryckman of y e Same opinion with y e Mayor
Captain Marte Gerritse is off opinion y ! he cannot see y l
he is Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheeffe,
before he shows it, 'that he hes it from his most Sacred
Majestic KING WILLIAM
Kiliaen van Renselaer is of y e same opinion with y e Mayor
Claes Ripse is of y e same opinion with y e Mayor
The opinion of Captain Jonathan Bull who Commands
the men sent hither from N : England for our assistance
being asked says, That for any thing he hath either seen or
heard yet, hath no Reason to Conclude y l Captain Jacob
Leysl.er is either Lieutenant Governor or Commander in
Cheeffe of y Province of N : Yorke
The opinion of James Bennet Ensign to Captain Jonathan
Bull being asked says, y l for anything that hes appeared to
him, he cannot judge that Captain Leysler is Lieutenant
Governor & Commander in Cheeffe of y e Province of N :
Yorke
While y e s d Justices of y e Peace were together a Letter
comes from Captain Sander Glenn there Majesties Justice
of y e Peace at Shinnechtady Informing them how that there
are five Commissions come to Shinnectady from Captain
Leysler for five Justices of y e Peace brougt thither by
Jeronimus Wendell and Gerrit Luykasse, y e Persones are
Myndert Wemp Dowe Aukus Ryer Jacobse David Christ-
offelse & Johannes Pootman, and a Commission to call the
People together to choose new Captain Lieutenant & Ensign
and a Toune Courte, and y l y e s- 1 5 justices come here to-
morrow to assist Mr Jochim Staas and to Enter upon there
office.
172 The City Records.
The said Captain Sanders together with y e Lieutenant &
Ensign and Sweer Teunise members of y e Convention doe
write to the gentlemen that there vote is not to Obey Cap-
tain Leyslers orders, But to Protest against his Illegal Pro-
ceedings.
And since we are Informed by Captain Bleeker of one of
y e Train band Companies of this Citty that Jochim Staas
did ask him to beat y e Drum and call his Companie together
tomorrow to Publish a Proclamation sent hither by Captain
Leysler of there Majesties to be King and Queen of Eng-
land Scotland France and Irland, which Proclamation y e s d
Justices Declare they are Ready to Proclaim, if there is y e
Least Title of orders for y e same from there Majesties but
since this is used merely as a means to Establish Captain
Leyslers authority who makes y e s d Proclamation
It is y e opinion of y e Mayor and Aldermen and the Jus-
tices to Discharge Captain Bleeker and Captain Wendel
not to Convein their Companies together nor beat any Drums,
to Disturbe y e Peace of there Majesties Leige People of this
Citty, Since y e s d Magistrates are Resolved to use all means
and methods to Preserve y e Peace of our Souveraigne Lord
king WILLIAM & Queen MARY and not to suffer y e Least
Innovation or Alteration in y e government of this Citty and
County till orders comes from his Majesty King William
for y e same, which never hath been hitherto showne
RESOLVED that for y e Preservation of y e Peace of our
Souveraign Lord"& Lady King William & Queen Mary and
y e wellfare of the Inhabitants of this Citty and County of
Albanie the following Protest be Published in a most
Solemn manner tomorrow, only Captain Wendel & Captain
Bleeker say they will have nothing to doe with y e Protest
when they heard it Read
WHEREAS Jacob Leysler of y e Citty of N : Yorke Mer-
chant hath for some monthes past assumed to himself a
Power to Command there Majesties Fort at N : Yorke, and
brougt to his Devotion severall of y e adjacent Tounes and
Villages without y e Least Commission or Authority derived
to him from y e Croune of England; whose Ambitious and
Restlesse Spiritt, together with Diverse of his. associates have
Indefaticably strove and Endevord to bring there Majesties
KING WILLIAM and QUEEN MARYS Loveing subjects in ye
The City Eecords. 173
Citty and County of albany unto y e same Confusion and ,
Slavery, upon Pretence to Redeem them from Arbitrary
Power, and to free them from y e Yoke of Popery, which his
Creatures when Last here did Endevor to Infuse into y e
heads of y e People and to stirr them up to Sedition and
Dissobedience to y e Lawfull Authority Confirmed by there
Majesties most Gracious Proclamation; But he the said
Leysler not attaining his aim, which was y e Subversion of
y e Government of this Citty and County (so Extream Dan-
gerous at this Juncture by Reason of y e Indians) Continues
Still his Malice, and Endevors to Disquiet there Majesties
Leige People, by assumeing to himself the Titell of Lieuten-
ant Governourand Commander in Cheeffe of there Majesties
Province of N : Yorke, without ye Least Shadow of orders
or authority so to doe from his most Sacred Majestic KING
WILLIAM, Deludeingthe Common People and makeing them
Believe, y l y e letters which were sent by his Majestic to
Francis Nicholson Esquire his Majesties Lieutenant governor
and Commander in Cheeffe of New Yorke and in his absence
to such as for y time being take Care of y e Preserveing of
Peace and administering ye Laws in said Province of N :
Yorke, Belonged to him, which he can no ways Pretend to,
but on y e Contrary we must Conclude are Directed to us so
farr as y e County of albany is a Part of y e Province of New
Yorke and althogh y e s d Leysler is sufficiently senceible of
y e Dangerous Condition y e Citty and County of Albany are
in, by Reason of y e French of Canida and there Indians
which we may dayly Expect, haveing Intelligence that they
have Drawne all there forces together to Mont Royall, y e
season of y e year being now most favourable, if they Design
to make any Attaque upon us, who besides are useing all
Possible means to Delude and Draw off y e five nations of
Indians westward from there Obedience and Subjection to
y e Croune of England by there Indians Lately come from
france, By which means there Majesties Intrest will not only
in y e Citty and County of albany but also in y e Northern
Parts of america suffer Extreamly,To Prevent which we have
spared neither cost nor Trouble to secure them to this Go-
vernment. Yet he y e . said Lteysler doth Continue to make
new Confusions when Peace and Unity is moat Requisite
by sending orders and Commissions to Jochim Staes, Par-
174 The City Records.
ticularly a Commission to take into his Possession fort
Orange and Diverse oyr Commissions to sundrey Persones
of this Citty and County, intending thereby to subvert y e
government here and Turn all upside Downe, writing Sedi-
tious. Letters which are come to our hands wherein he orders
new Elections for Mayor and Aldermen forthwith to be made
whom he hath signified to y e & Staas Contrare to the Pre-
viledges of this Citty G-raunted by Charter, soe y 1 Great
Part of y e Time must be spent to Defeat the s (1 Leyslers
Pernicious and Malitious Designs which otherwise Could be
Employd to Resist upon all occasions y e Common Enemy
and for y e Publike good, and althogh y e Bussinesse hath
been -sufficiently Debated with y e s d Jochim Staas and so
many Arguments used as ought to , Convince any Rationall
man, That if he could show but the Least Title of an order
from our Souveraign Leige Lord KING WILLIAM to y e s d
Leysler or authentique Copies thereof, wee were willing and
Ready to Obey him or if he could not Produce Such that
if he could but Deliver us authentique Copies of his Majes-
ties Letters or orders sent to Captain Nicholson, wee were
most willing to Obey and Perform -whatever was Compre-
hended in the Same, wee have by the assistance of God
durein^ these Revolutions taken care for y e Preserveing y e
Peace & and adrninistring y = Laws in our said Citty and
County notwithstanding all Combinations and Contrivances
to y c Contrare, and forasmuch as we have seen among y e
Papers sent by y e s d Leysler to Jochim Staas a Proclama-
tion made by y e s d Leysler Pretended Lieutenant Governor
and Commander in Cheeffe for y e Proclaiming WILLIAM
and MARY Prince and Princesse off Orange KING and QUEEN
of England Scotland france & Irland & a together with a
warrant Signd by y e s d Leysler authorizeing Jochim Staas
to Publish y e same, mentioning y l he Leysler had Received
Orders dated y e 29th day of July 1689 (never yet showne
to us) to Proclam there Majesties if not already done, which
Titles of Prince and Princesse off Orange since they have
above six months agoe been Proclaimed here KING and
QUEEN of England France and Irland &a and we in there
names so acted would be a Dimunition of there Majesties
Titles, but if they were to be again Proclaimd wee Conceive
would be of Scotland alone, since it is mentiond in s d Order
The City Eecords. 175
to Proclaim there Majesties if not already done ; And altho
y e s d Staas knows y l there Majesties were Proclaimed here
in albany on y e first day of July Last KING & QUEEN of
England France and Irland & a in y e Self same manner as
our neighbours of Boston had done to whom his Majesties
is Pleased to signify his Royall approbation of y e same and
gracious acceptance, and having Desyred y e s d Jochim Staas,
that if there was any Orders from there Majesties for a
second Proclamation because .Scotland was not Inserted in
y e first that we were most willing and Ready to doe itt with
what solemnity y e Place could afford But could get no oy" r
answer of him, then whether we would not acknowlege
Leyslers authority," and yt he had no other Proclamation
then y l made by y e s d Leysler which s d Proclamation we are
Credibly Informed y e s d Jochim Staes doth Design to Pro-
claim by which means he Intends to Erect and Establish
Leyslers authority here, and so overthrow y e whole p'sent
Magistracy, whereby many Mischeiffs and Calamities must
of necessity Ensue to his Majesties good subjects since y e
Indians have much Depended upon them during these
Revolutions
And that it may be Apparent to y e world that we under-
written Mayor and aldermen of y e City of albany and Justices
of y e Peace of y e said County have done and still Continue
to doe what lyes in our Power for y e Preservation of Peace
and Tranquillity among y e Inhabitants of this City and County
till y e arrivall of a governor or Orders from his most Sacred
Majestic KING WILLIAM which is daily Expected, and to
Prevent Such Confusion Innovation and Alteration Since
it is an Indispenceible duty upon us at this juncture, and
fearing to Incurr there Majesties Displeasure for our too much
Lenity, Wee doe in his Majesty's KING WILLIAM'S name,
forewarn Discharge forbid and Prohibite y e s (1 Jochim Staas
and his associates upon Pain of Rebellion to Con vein or cause
any meeting or assembly of People to come together, within
this Citty and County of Albany upon any Pretence what-
soever whereby there Majesties Peace any wise may be Dis-
turbed ; and therefore in y e Behalfe of ther Majesties Leidge
People of y e said Citty and County we do PROTEST against y e
s d Jochim Staets and his associates for all Bloodshedds,
Plunderings Robberies, mischeeffs Dammages, Losses
1T6 The City Records.
Detriments that may henceforth Ensue by his or there Ir-
regular and Illegal Proceedings, Since such meetings can
be looked upon no other ways then as Contrare to y e Peace
of our Souveraign Lord and Lady King William & Queen
Mary there Cronne and Dignity In Testimony whereof we
have hereunto Sett our hands and Sealls in albany y e 13th
day of January in y e first year of there Majesties Reign a
16ff and caused y e same to be Entered in the Publike
Register of y e Citty and County Signed & Seald p r
P* SCHUYLER mayor
GOD SAVE KING WILL M D : WESSELS Recorder
. AND QUEEN MARY L v SHAIK alderman.
K v : RENSSELAER Justice
DAV : SCHUYLER alderman :
MARTE GERRITSE Justice
ALB'RYCKMAN alderman
CLAES RIPSE v : DAM alderman
The Manner how y e s d Protest was Publishd on y e 13th
day of January 16-|f was orderd to be Entred being as fol-
lows.
The Mayor with y e . Recorder and Aldermen and y e Justices
and y e Common Councill marchdfrom there Majesties Fort
(The marshall going before with a white Rod) accompanied
with diverse of y e Antient Citizens, with a guarde of fifty
Inhabitants in arms The Mayor as y e Kings Leif 1 together
with y e Recorder alderman Shaik and Captain Marte
Gerritse Justice of y e Peace as soon as they came with-
in y e Citty Gates, went with there Swords Pointed ; Then
followdy 6 other aldermen and justices and Common Councill
and Sundrey Citizens and then the guards and in this Posture
with Drumms Beateing came to y e Plain Before y e Church
where y e Bell Rung thrice. Then y e Mayor made a speech
to y e Citizens which flokd together, shewing the Reasons why
he came there in Such manner Then y e PROTEST was
Read in English and Dutch, this being done they all went
in y e Same Posture through y e Principle Streets of y e Citty
and So up to y e fort, where y e guardes were Dismissd and
thankd by y e Mayor y e Present Commander of y e fort for
y e Service they had done there Majesties KING WILLIAM
and QUEEN MARY that day, and y e Protest sent by y e Mar-
shall to be affixed at y e Porch of y e Church.
The City Records. 177
Evert Banker Gerrit Ryerse and Eghbert Teunise assist-
ants Concurr with y e Mayor aldermen and Justices in y e
Protest and think it Extream needful that it be most So-
lemnly Published who went themselfs in Person and see it
done and desyred that this there Opinion and advice as
assistants of y e Citty might be Entred.
Captain Sander Glenn one of there Majesties Justices of
y e Peace came to y e office and Perrused Proceedings of y e
Justices Enterd yesterday Concerning y e not acknowledg-
ing Jacob LeyslerofN: Yorke Merchant to be governor
and Commander in Cheeffe of this Province who Concurrs
with y e Re?t of y e Justices y 1 he cannot be Esteemed So
nor his orders be Obeyd till y e s d Leysler hath Showne that
he hath Lawfull authority from his Majestic King William
so to be and desyred that his vote might be Entred, and also
y l he Concurrs with y e Rest of the Justices in y e Protest
and approoves of y e same.
A true Copy Examind By me
ROB? LIVINGSTON Clk
Albany ye 20th of January 16J Present P* Schuyler
mayor D. Wessells C : Wendel C : Bleeker L. V. Shaik
albt Ryckman
The mayor and Aldermen haveing Consulted to day how
to Procure some Christians and Indians to goe towards y e
Great Lake to Lye as skouts for y e space of three weeks to
give notice if y e ffrench should come with an army to Invade
there Majesties Territory, but could fynde none y* would
goe under 2 shil 6d to 3 shil p r day, for Capt Bull would suffer
none of his men to goe alledgeing it Contrare to his In-
structions, and while they were bussy discourse s d affare y e
following Indians came and s d as follows vizt.
Proposeal made by Captain Blew Stocking and anoy
maquase called Deganochkeeri to y e mayor & alderman
in albany y e 20 January 16f Present P r Schuyler mayor
J : Bleeker Dirk wessells Recorder alb 1 Ryckman Livinus
van Shaik
BRETHREN We have sent by y e 40 maquase Souldiers
now at Shennechtady to acquaint y w that they are come to
178 The City Records.
goe out as Skouts towards y e lake and otter creek to wath
y e Desiirne of y' Deceiver y e governor of Canida to see if he
will come and Invade our Country again & if'we Discern any
Progresse of his we have 4 Indians y l we send forthwith
Post to give y u & our people advertisement Such we in-
tend to spend our time So till y e Ice be out ofy e water &
there design to make Canoes & goe to Caaida a fighting But
we being Poor doe want amunition as Pouder lead & axes
for y e journey, & gave 7 hand of wampum as a token desy re-
ing J l J e governor may Provide them with Such ammunition
Answer to y e s d Messengers y e 21th d Present P r
Schuyler Liv : V. Shaik D : wessels J Bleeke J. wendel
We are glad thaty w take our Recommendations so well
and haste to be vigilant at this Juncture when y e false french
might come & fall upon your Country ; Proceed & look out
well & give us an account from time to time how all affares
is with y w & according to your Request we have sent to y e
s d Companie three Baggs of Pouder & 20 Barrs of lead to
make use of in s d Expedition, Desyreing y w to make all
speed thither imaginable; & y w need not fear but we shall
be Ready upon all occasions if the french should come ;
The s d Indians were very thankfull and s d they would
withal speed goe to Shinnechtady & forward y e Companie &
hasten them upon there march, A true Copy
Examind p r
ROB T LIVINGSTON Clk
[For entries which follow in these Records, relating to the
burning of Schenectady, see Doc. Hist., vol. I, pp. 302-306.]
Feb 10th
Resolved yt 25 volunteers goe under y e Command of Leift
Evert de Ridder together with those men gone to Shinnec-
tady this morning and Pursue and follow after y e french &
Indian Enemy who have carried Sundrey of there Majesties
Subjects Captives from Shinnectady who had this following
Commission
Whereas the french and Indians of Canida have come in
a hostile manner massacred and murtherd Sundry of there
Majesties Subjects at Shinnectady burning y e Towne and
The City Records. 179
caried divers Captives along with them ; yow are hereby re-
quired in there Majesties name king William and Queen
Mary to PursuS and follow after y e s cl french and Indians
with so many volunteers as shall be sent with y w and y e s d
french and Indians to kill and Destroy and y e Captives to
Rescue and Redeem out of y e s d Enemies hands if Possible,
always Provided yow meet with a sufficient number of friend
Indians at Shinnectady to assist yow in said Expedition
You are to take Especiall care to have always Spyes and
Skouts out to Prevent all ambushes in y e march and to keep
y e said men in good order and Discipline & y e men are to be
obedient to y r orders as Souldiers are obliged to obey there
officers by y e Law marshall given in albany y e 10th day of
february 16-f
To Leift Evert de Ridder
It was Resolved to Detach 30 men more out of y e Com-
panie to go to Shinnectady y e Mayor Peter Schuyler Joc-
him Staets & Robert Livingston were to goe out along with
them but after that y e Respective Posts and watches were
reduced by Mr Wessells Captain Jochim Staets & Captain
Bleeker they were found so weake that they could not spare
there men & y e People generally unwilling to consent that
any more men should go out of Towne not being much above
150 men in y e Citty.
Die Martis Albany ye llth day of Febuary 16f|
Haveing Received Information from Shinnectady last
night y l no messenger was yet gone to y e Maquase Castle to
warn them to come doune it was resolved that Mr Wessells
should goe in all haste thither to bring doune y e Maquase
and Captain Gerrit Teunise to goe with a Party of men now
att Shinnectady to follow y e Enemies Tract to see if they
have a stronger army or any party bounde hither to this
Toune and comeing to Shinnectady were assured that a
messenger was gone to y e Maquase Castles, and Lawrence
y e Indian haveing been out in pursuit of y e Enemy with 9
men which Lay here in Toune got an Indian Prisoner by y e
way who was examind and told y l the Enemy were not
many above a hundred french and 100 Indians y e s d Lawrence
y e Maquase Proposed y 1 he now had 49 .men of y e Maquase
& River Indians sent from Albany, y* he was Intended to
180 The City Records.
pursue y e Enemy to morrow, for his heart was Broke to see
so much of his Brethrens blood shed and would Procure
some of y e Prisoners back again either by force or by strate-
gern, upon which Mr Wessells proposed to y e young men
come there with Leift Evert de Bidder } now yow see what
that Lawrence y e Indian Intends, how many of yow are
willing to goe along with him & serve there Majesties king
William & Queen Mary & Pursue there Enemies that have
Destroyed so many Christians, out of which Companie & of
some oy rs y l came from Albany only 21 went out with Law-
rence y e Maquase on y e 12 of february being Weddensday,
and just as they were furnish d and Beady to goe y e Indians
of y e first & 2d Castle came to Captain Sanders but y c
weather being so badd & such a Bain they could not Proceed
y ! day Expecting y e Indians of y e 3d Castle would be there
that night.
The 12th dito Die Mercury.
Last night was Besolved upon to make Beady one hundred
men, to joyn with y e 50 men y l were at Shinnectady &
with y e Maquase & Biver Indians & so pursue y e Enemy,
but this day y e great Thaw and Bain Prevented there march
and quite Discouraged y e People of haveing any Successe,
we writt therefore to Shinnectady to Mr Wessells y l we
hoped he had sent y e men forward that was there and them
were sent him last night, Since we see no Probability of
Sending any more from hence y e weather being so badd
which accordingly was done haveing advice y l Mr. Wessells
had Dispatchd about 90 or 100 Christians & Indians & y e
Skachkooc Indians w ch were gone by the way of Sarach-
toge were to meet them together with y e 40 maquase y l
were out as skouts Lawrence sending forthwith 2 messengers
before to warn y e s d 40 Indians to meet them.
The 13th dito. Die Jovis.
About 10 a Clock y e Indians of Tionondage y e 3d Castle
of y e Mohoggs came to Shinnectady who Bested there that
day, alderman Shaik Captain Staets & Ensighn Shuyler
were Commanded out with a Party of men to joyn y e Tion-
ondages and so Pursue y e Enemy but comeing to Shinnectady
y e Indian Prisoner taken by Lawrence being given to y e
The City Records. 181
Sachims of Tionondage after they had Tormented him he
was given to an Indian wooman according to there custome
who gave him his life, who then Confessed y l when he came
out of Canida there were 600 men making Ready to come
out towards albany or N: England, which Discouraged
alderman Shaik Captain Jochim Staets to Proceed ; The
more because a negro woman of Shinnectady was told y e -
Same by a Spanyard y l was among y e french y l a Design
was Laid against albany, So y l y e Tionondages went out &
followed Lawrence, & after they had been out a day came
back again till Lawrence sent a messenger that he was
within a days journey of y e Enemy and Praid them to come
up with all speed then they went & 9 of our Christians
with Ens : abr : Schuyler, but could not overtake y e Enemy
y e Christians came back & y e Indians went on The maquase
upon our Dsyre granted the Indian Prisoner to be sent to
y e fort to be Secured for fear of his Running away to Canida
Captain Garten Captain Paling Captain Beekman &
Captain Matthys with 30 men came from Sopus for our as-
sistance.
Atta meeting of y e Convention of albany y e 15th day of
february 16f^ Present P r Schuyler Mayor Lev. van Shaik
Claes Ripse, Joh : Cuyler, . Capt Marte gerritse Capt
Garten D. wessells Recorder J. Bleeker albt. Ryckman
Evert Banker Capt gerrit Teunise Capt Paling Capt
Beekman
Resolved to write to y e governor & Councill of Boston
Connetticut & Virginia & to y e Civill & Military officers of
N : Yorke & desyred them to joyn together that Quebeck
may be taken by water in y e Spring as p r said letters appears
Stephen Lee & Mr Davenport were sent Post to Boston
and Connetticut & Cornelise Viele to N : Yorke
The 18th of february 16|f
Whereas there are severall houses near y e Citty which
stand Extream Dangerous & y e Enemy being dayly Ex-
pected y e generality of y e Citizens desyre that they may be
pulled doune It is ordered by y e mayor aldermen and com-
monality of y e Citty of Albany y l y e same be forthwith re-
Annals, ii, 16
182 The City Records.
moved to wift y e house of Barent albertse Bratt y e house of
William hoffmayer y e house of adriaen appel, y e house of y e
widow of Cornelise vanderholve, and to y e end that y e same
may be effected with y e Least Dammage to y e owners these
following p'sones to witt Peter Winne Peter Bogardus
William Claese Groesbeek harme Gansevoort Dirk Bensing
& Jan Cornelise Vyselaer are appointed and authorized to
agree with y e owners Else to apprise the same, which s d ap-
prizement is to be paid by the Publike & to order yt ye
same may be broke off in the most orderly way with all
speed ;y e s (1 6 Persones are also authorized to Cause all y e
fences & trees standing neer the Toune to be Removed &
to warn y e owners to doe it with all Expedition else to order
it to be done, in doeing whereof this shall be y e sufficient
warrant ; y c s d men are authorized to give there Report
whether any oy r houses ought to be Removed in this danger-
ous time that order may be taken therein actum in albany
y e 18th day of february 16f-- Signd Peter Schuyler mayor
J. Bleeker Job: wendel albert Ryckman Claes Ripse van
dam Liv : van Shaik Jochim Staets Gerrit Ryerse Reynier
Barentse.
Albany ye 21th february 16f Present P r Schuyler D
Wessells Claes Ripse albert Ryckman Eghbert Teunise
Joh Cuyler gert Ryerse Capt gert Teunise Capt Marte
gerritse
Peter Winne Peter Bogardus Harme gansevoort Dirk
Bensing & Jan Cornelise Vyslaer who were authorized to
give there Report whether any oy r houses ought to be Re-
moved from y e Toune walls, doe say y l y e 4 houses of Barent
albertse Brat Adrien appel W m hoffmayer & y e widow of
Cornelise vanderholve be Removed y e oy r houses may stand
till further order, but y l all fences Trees and oy timber must
be Removed 60 paces without y e City stockadoes, & all oy r
things with might hinder y e view of y e enemy
Item y l y e Curtain must be Repaired by Bennony van
Korlaers & by y e Mayor P r Schuylers.
Ordered y l y e houses of Barent albertse Bradt W m hoff-
mayer adriaen appel & y e widow of Cornelise vanderholve
be pulled doune by y e Companies of Capt Bleeker & Capt
The City Records. 183
Wendel & sett up again within y Citty on such lotts as shall
be appointed for y 3 same &y l y e quarter of a Companie doe
work at a time & so by Turns
The Mayor aldermen & Commonality have granted to
Adrien appel y e Lott between Jurian van hoese & Reynier
Schaets for his house to be erected there, that is to say so
much grounde as his house can stand on in front to be on y e
Side of Jurian van hoese & for W in hoofmayer y c Lott Be-
hinde between y e Brew house of Bennony van Corlaer & y e
Lott of Reynier Shaets deceased that in so much as y e s d
house can stand upon in front next to y e Brew house Pro-
vided y e Lotts of y e s d W m Hoffmayer & adriaen appel with-
out y e gate shall for y e future belong to y e Mayor aldermen
& Commonality of y e Citty of albany & there successors
forever
Ordered y l y e house of Barent alberts Bradt be erected
on a lot of Johannes den wandelaer next to hans hendriks
& if y l s !l Johannes de wandelaer and Barent albertse Bradt
cannot agree about y e Price 4 persones shall be appointed
to apprize y e same w 11 y s s d Barent is to pay, & then y e
Lott without y e gate Remains his but not to be built upon
without order
Ordered y l all persones y l have fences neer y e Toune be
warned to Remove y e same 60 paces from y e Toune Stocka-
does in 3 day's time
Ordered y- first divison of Captain Bleekers Companie
goe to worke & Pull doune y e s d 4 houses on Munday morning
standing neerest y e gates, beginning at the house of Barent
albertse Bradt which house together with y e house of William
hoffmayer and adriaen appel is to be sett up again by y e
Inhabitants in some Convenient Place within y e Citty &
y r by every division both in Pulling doune y e houses &
setting them up there be at least one Carpenter or Two. The
house of y e wid w of Cornelise vanderholve being old and
Decayed is only to be pulled doune
Ordered y l y e gate by harme ganseforts be forthwith
Repaired.
184 The City Records.
At a meeting &c. Albany y e 22th day of February 16|f
Present Pr Schuyler Mayor D. Wessells Recorder L :
v : Shaik J : Bleeker Albt Ryckman Joh : Cuyler Rey-
nier Barents Kiliaen van Renselaer Ev : Banker Capt
Bull Capt Jocbim Staets Ens : Bennitt Capt Paling
Capt Beekman Ens : Joh : Sanders Pr Winne William
de Mayer C : Marte gerritse Claes Ripse Capt garten
Capt gerrit Teunise Lt Robt Sanders
Resolved that for y e p'servation of there Majesties Intrest
in these parts & y e Secureing of there Subjects in this time
of war with y e french, y l all means be used to Perswade all
y e Maquase to come & live & Plant at Shinnectady lately
Destroyed by y e french and there Indians which will be a
means y l y e winter Corn sowed there may be Reaped & y e
Indians in Readinesse to joyn with our forces upon any
occasion if y e enemy should come
Resolved y* all Endevors be used to Perswade y e Indians
of Skachkook to come & live & Plant upon Marte gerritse
Island neer y e toune whereby y e fidelity of y e Indians will
he knowen & they Ready upon all occasions to goe as Skouts
to discover y e Enemy & to assist upon any attempt of y e
Enemy
Resolved yt y e River Indians liveing at Beere Island and
Catskill be Perswaded to goe all & live & Plant at Catskill
who will be Ready on all occasions to be employed as skouts
or oyrwise which will much Conduce for y e Security of our
neighbours of y e County of ulster by there Continuall hunt-
ing and Rangeing y e woods
And Captain garrit Teunise doth Promise upon all occa-
sions to send up such number of s d Indians as shall be Re-
quisite to be Employd as aforesaid
Symon van Ness and Andries Barents who went out y e
first with y e maquase Returning told; they had Pursued y e
Enemy to y e great Lake & would have overtaken them had
they not been Spyed by some of y e Enemy Indians that
went out to looke for 2 negroe boys j l were Runn away
from them, & y l y e Indians & Christians were all Tyred
when they came to y e Croune Point neer y e Lake ; some
went farther till they came to where y e Ise was smooth
where the french had with horses that they carried from
The City Records. 185
Shinuectady & skeets & Yse spurrs, made all the way they
could over y e Lake in So much that our People could gain
nothing upon them ; whereas at first they went 2 of there
days journeys in one; neverthelesse Lawrence y e maquase
& about 140 Mohoggs & River Indians are gone in Pursute
of them, & will follow them quite to Canida.
Att a Meeting &c. Albany February 23<* 16f
Itt was Proposed to y e gentlemen of Sopus to levy 50
men out of there County for our assistance to lye in Garri-
son here, who Replyed that they would use all Endevors to
Perswade there People for a Supply, but by there unhappy
Revolutions and Distractions Some adhereing to y e first
magistracy oyrs to there new leaders, They cannot Execute
y l Power & Command as is Requisite on such occasions
People being under no Regulation.
Resolved to write to y e Civill & Military officers of Sopus
for y e assistance of 50 men to lye in Garrison here to Defend
there Majesties King William & queen Marys Intrest in
these Parts
It was also proposed to Raise some Goods by way of loan
upon there Majesties acct. of them that were willing to
advance, to be Employed for y e Publike
It is Concluded to fortify y e Toune with all speed & y l y e
4 houses standing neer y e gates be pulled doune to morrow
Att a Meeting &c Albany February 25th 16|^- Present Pr
Schuyler mayor D : Wessels Recorder John Bleeker Joh :
Cuyler Reynier Barents Jocbim Staets albt Ryckman
Resolved y l no merchandize either Christian or Indian
fitt for cloathing be Transported out of y e Citty upon pain
of Confiscation Bevers or Peltry money or oy r Treasure &
goods not necessare for apparel may be sent doune
186 The City Records.
PROPOSITIONS made by the Sachims of y e Maquase Castles
to y e Mayor Alderman and Commonality of y e Citty of
albany and Military officers of y e s d Citty and County in
y e Citty hall y 25th day of february 16ff Present Pr
Schuyler Mayor D wessels Recorder L : v : Shaik Jan
Janse bleeker alb 1 Ryckman Reynier Barents Joh : Cuyler
C. marte Gerritse C. Jochim Staets L l abr : Schuyler En :
gabr Thompson Interpreted p r arnout and hille Names of
y e Sachims Sinerongnirese Speker Rode Saggoddiochqui-
sax oquedagoa Tosoquatho odagerasse aridarenda Jagog-
thare
BRETHREN Wee are sory and Extreamly greeved for y e
rnurther Lately Committed by y e french upon our Brethren
of Schinnectady wee Esteem this evill as if done to ourselfs
being all in one Covenant chain But what they have done
is by way of Stelth by way of Robbery unawars our brethren
of New England will be sorry to hear of this sad dissaster,
but we must not be discouraged give a belt of wampam
according to there custonie to wipe of the tears
2 Brethren Wee Lament and Condole the death of so
many of our brethren so basely murtherd at Shinnectady,
we cannot accompt it a great victory for itt is done by way
of Deceit He (meaning y e governor of Canida) conies to
our Country by his messengers at onondage and speaks of
Peace with y e whole house quite hither. But warr is in
his heart as vow fynde by woful Experience but what shall
we say it is y e same as he did at Cadarachqui and y e Sin-
nekes Country this y e third time that he hes done so ; he
hes this is y e third time Broke open y e gevell of our house
on both ends y e one end at Sinnondowanne and y e oy r here
but we hope to be revenged there is one hundred of our
young men out still who will Pursue them to there doors at
Canida nay y e french shall not be able Cutt a Stick of wood
we will lay soe Close seige to them we doe now gather y e
Dead together in order to There Interrment a manner of
speaking amongst them doe give a belt of wampum
3 Wee are come here from our Castles with tears in our
Eys to bemoan y e murther Committed by y e Perfidious
frencb at Schinnectady our young Indians are gone out in
Pursute of them and while we are now Bussy in Burying
The City Records. 187
the dead y* were murtherd there we may have bad news y*
our people are gone out may be killed also y e same y l is
befallen y u may befall us ; we doe therefore come and bury
our Brethren at Schennectady doe give a belt of wampum
according to there custome
4 Great is y e Mischaffe y 1 is befallen us it is come from
y e heavens upon us were taught by our fore fathers when
any Sad accident or Dissaster doth befall any of y e Covenant
to goe with all Convenient speed to Bemoan there deatlT,
doe give a Belt of wampum which they call a belt of Vige-
lance that is not to have too much thought on what is done
y l Cannot be Remedied but to be watchful for y e future and
give Eye water to make y e Brethren Sherpe Sighted
5 Wee come to y e house where we usually doe Renew ve
Covenant which house we fynde Defiled with blood this is
knowne to all y e 5 nations and we are come to wipe off y e
blood and Sweep y e house clean and therefore pray y l Cor-
laer and all they y l are in office here in albany nameing y e
mayor whom they call pieter m r wessells and m r Living-
ston may use all means and derect all affairs to be re-
venged of y e Enemy that have done us this Evill doe
give a belt of wampum
6 Brethr : Doe not be discouraged this is butt a begin-
ning of y e warr we are strong eneugh the whole house have
there Eyes fixed upon y rs and they only stay your motion
and will be ready to doe what ever shall be resolved upon
by our Brethren, our Covenant is a firm Covenant it is a
Silver Chain and cannot be broke we are resolute and will
Continue y e warr we will not leave off if there were but 30
men of us left we will Proceed Therefore pray take good
heart Doe not Pack and goe away if y e Enemy should hear
y l it would much Encourage them wee are of y e Race of
y e Bear and a bear doth not yeald as long as there is a droop
of blood in its body we must all be soe doe give a belt of
wampum
7 Brethren Be Content Look up to y e heavens from thence
y e Judgement is come now upon us be not discouraged y e
some hand y 1 hath chastised us can heal us ; the sunn which
now hath been Cloudy and sent us this dissaster will shinne
again and with its Pleasant Beams Comfort us Be Incou-
raged with many Repetitions doe give a bevir skin
188 The City Records.
8 Wee are Engaged in a bloody warr with y e French
about 3 years agoe and were Incouraged to proceed and no
sooner were well Entred and gott prisoners but a Cessation
Came and Corlaer meaning Col : dongan hindred us to pro-
ceed and demanded y e prisoners from us we were obedient
and deliver them and layed doune ye hatchet which if we
might have gone foreward then the french would not have
been in y l Capacity to doe so much mischeeffe as they doe
but now we must dye Such obstructions will Ruine us; if
we might have had our wills we would have prevented there
planting Sowing and Reaping and brought them low and
mean Neverthelesse lett us be stedfast and not take such
measures again lett us goe one briskly with y e warr doe
give a Bever Skinn
9 Wee Recommend y e brethren to keep good watch and
if any Enemies come take care y 1 messengers be more
speedily sent to us then lately was done we would not ad-
vise y e brethren quite to desert Shinnectady but to make a
fort there The enemy would be too glorious to See it quite
desolate and y r Toune is not well fortifyed y e Stockadoes
are so short y e Indians can jump over them like a dogg doe
give a bever skinn
10 This mischeeffe is done at Shinnectady and it Cannot
bee helped but asoon as any Enemy Comes let nothing hin-
der y r speedy sending to us y e news by Posts and fyreing
great gunnes y l all may be alarmd and our advise is y x y r
gett all y e Rivrr Indians who are under y r subjection to
come and Live neer unto y r to be ready on all occasions and
send word to n : England of all and lend us there helping
hand ; lett us not be discouraged y e french are not so many
as people talk off if we but minde our buissinesse they can be
subdued with y e assistance of our neighbours of N : England
whose Intrest it is to drive on this warr as much as ours
y l it may be speedily ended
Wee Desyre y l y e brethren may Recommend y e Smiths
not to be dear in repareing our arms since money is so scarce
and we only goe to warring and not to hunting we shall take
care to warn y e Sinnekes and y e nations living above us to
be in Readinesse for we being one they hearken to us and
tell of N : England y l we shall take care y l y e upper nations
be Ready for our security and assistance and lett them be
The City Eecords. 189
ready also with Ships and great gunns by water and we will
plague him by land we are resolved not to goe out a hunting
but to minde y e warr for y e sooner y e french be fallen upon
y e better before they gett men and provisions from france as
there usual custome is doe give a Sever Skinn
ANSWER upon y e maquase Sachims Propositions by y e
mayor aldermen and Commonality of y e Citty of albany
and Military officers of y e s d Citty and County att the
Citty hally 26 february 16f
BRETHREN Your Coming heir according to the Custom
of your ancestors to Condole y e death of the brethren mur-
thred at Shinnectady is very acceptable, whereby your
Inclination to wards us is demonstrate, wee must acknowledge
that they did not keep so good watch as they ought Consi-
dereing what a false and deceitfull Enemy they had to deal
with all but that which made them secure was y e great trust
they repossed in the 45 maquase who came heire and tendred
there service to goe and be y e out watch and to spy y e
Enemy, which end powder and lead was given them as
they understood wee wer about hyreing of Christians to send
thither but wer un happily Deverted by the s d Companie
off maquase who promised to have four posts ready two to
goe to there own Country and two to runn hither if any
Enemy should appear for the Brethren did assur us that no
french Could Comeheir without beeingDiscouered and then
would all fall Into our hands wee are likewise mindfull how
y 1 y e 5 nations last fall when the gentlmen of new England
were heir did declare how they would Encompasse the
french of Canida that they should not break out this winter
without being Discoverd and fallen upon and die likewise
propose by our messeinggers arnout and Rob' Sanders at
the generall meeting of onnondage to have 307 : 400 men
sent hither to be Readie on all occasions but see non
Now Brethren this Evill is done and Cannot bee Called
back again, and y e only meanes the prevent y e Like for the
futur is to keep good watch and to have good Courage to
oppose and resist y e Enemy wee are no wayes Discomfitted
for this misfortune It is y e fortun of warr wee doe not feare
to be Even with the french in a short time wee have alredy
190 The City Records.
sent Letters to all our nighbours of n : England Virginia
and maryland the subjects of y e great king of England and
acquainted them of the Evill done heir by the french and
how requisite it is y r ships be fitted out with all Convenient
speed to toe to quebek and to presse the bussinese there
more wee doe now send prisoners to N : Yorke and n :
England on purpose to lay open the Case before them & a
to move them to Rigg out vessels not only to hinder succor
comeing from france but to take Quebek itt Self as also to
send more men hither y we may then send men along with
y w to annoy y 8 Enemy in there Country : In y e mean time
we recommend y brethren to Send for 200 men from y e
upper nations to joyn with y w to keep y e french inContinu-
all allarm and doe them what mischeeffe imagineable and the
onnondage and Sinnekes must goe doune y e river of Cadar-
achqui and meet on onoy about Mont Royall and annoy y e
Enemy there ; we shall in y e mean while fortify y e toune
and put our Selfs in a good posture of defence y 1 we may not
be surprized as they of Shinnechtady were and make all
preparations to oppose y e Enemy
The Brethren see y 1 we are in warr with france how there
is no time to speak of peace the french as you will observe
have fallen on both end of y e Chain Butt not broke it lett
us keep y e Covenant so much y c faster which never hes had
y e crak since y e verry first y e Christians came here They
ptrove to lull us all asleep by there Messengers at onnon-
dage Speaking of peace and then they were upon y e way
hither to Commit this murther The brethren need not fear
for a Cessation to hinder us to Pursue y e Enemy for as we
told y w before y e king y 1 ordered that was a papist and a
great frinde of y e french but our psent Great king will
pursue y e warr to y e uttmost therefore we must all prepare
for warr. It well there fore be verry requisite that y e
brethern for there better Security come and plant this sum-
mer att Shinnechtady upon y e Land y 1 kannot be Cultivate
this year that we may be near to on onoy upon any occasion
Concerning y r Proposition of y e Skachkook Indians tis
Concluded on some days agoe to propose to y e Skachkook
Indians y Planting on Marte gerritse Island hard by y e
toune and y e River Indians y 1 lived below shall also come
together to be ready on all occasions
The City Records. 191
Wee must Insist and recommend y w to perswade there
of oneyde to Send y e Priest hither for y w have Seen how
dangerous it is to have such persoues among y w who Informs
y e Enemy of all y r doings and discovers all our desyns we
shall secure him y l he runn not away and when y e ouner
demands him and y e troubles are over shall be deliverd
for he can doe more harm in oneyde then 100 men
We think it Convenient y 1 one or two of y r Sachims stay
here and y l a Sachim of each nation be here to assist in y e
management of y^ affaires of y e warr
was give them 6 belt of wampum Some Duffells Tobaccy
and some baggs with Provision
After y proposition was answerd they gave a shout
according to y e Custome which Signified amen they would
Continue y e warr to the uttmost
After y^ s d answer
The Maquase Sachims s (1 you [have heard] repeated our
answer we are [going to pursue the Enemy and] are not
discouraged A mistake can [be committed] by y L best and
wisest of men and we [are resolved] now to persue y u warr
with all Vigour, We have a hundred men out in persute
of y t: Enemy still who are good skouts in y^ mean time, we
Expect all y e Sachims of y c upper nations to Consult with
us, who will come to Condole y e death of our brethren
murtherd at Schinnectady you need not fear our being ready
wee are soon fitted out our ax is in OUT hands butt take
care of y r selfs to be in Readinesse the Shipps y must doe
prin cipall worke ar long a fitteing out and Rigging we doe not
design to goe out with a small troop as skouts but as soon as y e
nations come together we well goe with a whole army to Ruine
y e french Country ; y bussinesse must be soone brought to a
Pereod therefore send in all haste to N : England for we
nor y w cannot live long in this Condition we must order it
soe y ! y" trench be in a Continuall fear and alarm and y y e
way to be in Peace here Concerning y< Skachkook Indians
in our opinion they lye well where they are as a good watch
they are our Childeren we will take good care y they doe
there duty but as for y ; - Indians y 1 Live below y c toune
them we mean must be sent for up and gott to plant and
live together to be alwayes in Readinesse upon occasion
This is a true Copy Examind
p r ROBT LIVINGSTON
192 The City Records.
Att a meeting &c. albany February 26th 16-f-g Present as
before, also, L : v. Shaik Ev. Banker M. gerritse L 1 abr
Schuyler R. Sanders gabriel Thompson & Capt Bull.
WHEREAS it is thougt Convenient yt all fences & Timber
be Removed 60 Paces from y e City Stockadoes, you are
therefore hereby Required in there Majesties name to warn
all people y r have there fences & Timber or oy r materials
so neer y e outside of y e fence whereby y e Sight Rounde y e
Toune walls is hindred to Remove y e same in 24 hours
time, else must be Removed at there Cost actum in albany
ye 26th day of feb 16f$
P r order of y e Civill & Military officers
R*Liv: 01
To R : Pretty Esq r high Sherriffe of y e
Citty & County of Alb :
Att a meeting &c. albany Feb 27th 16
The Bussinesse being taken into Consideration concern-
ing Sending agents to N : Yorke & New England to acquaint
them off affares here, and to Desyre assistance for y e Pre-
servation of there Majesties Intrest in these parts it was
putt to y e vote
And these following vote for a Person to be sent to N :
Yorke & one to N : England P r Schuyler Mayor C. Jan
Janse Bleeker Reynier Barents D. Wessells C. Jochim
Staets albt. Ryckman C. Sanders Glenn Claes Ripse gabriel
Thomson Johannes Cuyler Liv van Shaik Evert Banker,
abr : Shuyler Kiliaen van Renselaer Rob 1 Sanders
It is voted by 7 votes y l Joh : Cuyler goe to N : Yorke 5
votes y l Reynier Barents goe & 2 y 1 Livinus van Shaik goe
It was Resolved nenaine Contradicente y' Robt Livingston
goe with all Convenient Speed to Canetticut and Boston, &
declare y e Condition of this County, & desyre y 1 all En-
devors may be used to Rigg out vessells towards Quebek, &
Prevent all succor comeing from france & and to Request y e
assistance of fifty men and one hundred Barrells of Porke
and Beefe, & if no men can be obtained then 400 in
money & y' Commission & Instructions be given him accord-
ingly
The City Records. 193
It is thougt Convenient to write to y e gent of y e County
of Ulster y l one of y e gent y l was lately here be desyred to
goe to N . England with Rob 1 Livingston our agent to moove
y e gentlemen there in y e behalfe of y l County for all Possible
aid as above
And y l by no means y e Companie of Capt Bull be draune
off but stay here till a governor Comes or further order from
there Majesties for our Releeffe
Rob 1 Livingston desyred to be Excused from goeing to N :
England not judgeing himself cappable of mannageing a
Bussinesse of y* moment : but if y e gent would not excuse him
y* he might take Capt gerrit Teunise along with him, who
knew most of y e gent of y e neighbouring Collony which was
graunted
Resolved Since Johannes Cuyler Refuses yt Reynier
Barents with all Convenient Speed goe to Sopus & there in
our name Request Capt Garten or one of y e gentlemen y l
were Last here to goe to Boston along with Cap 1 Livingston
& Capt gerrit Teunise agents to Procure y e assistance of 50
men and Provisions, and if no men can be Procured, to Pro-
cure some money, and use all Pressures Imaginable y 1 Ship-
ping may be Equipd to goe to invade Canida, & y l y e s d
Person may be at Catskill on Munday night in order to proceed
on y e journey, y e s d M r Barents is to us all Endeavors
with y e gent of Sopus to Procure 50 men with Provisions
for our assistance as also 500 skepels of Indian Corn for
there Majesties account for y e Indians y l goe out to warr
against y e french, & Comeing to N : Yorke y e s d Barents is
to inform them of affares there & Insist with y e authority
there fory e assistance of men provisions & money, according
to instructions which shall be given him.
Resolved that for y e easier management of y e Present
affares in this juncture y ! 6 persones out of y e Convention
be appointed to order matters who are Dirk Wessells Re-
corder L : van Shaik Capt Jan Bleeker Capt Marte gerritse
Reynier Barents Evert Banker which s d Persones are for ye
future to take y e Charge of doeing all Publike Bissinesse in .
this County
Orderd y l y e following Instructions be given to Mr.
Reynier Barents bounde to N : Yorke who not understand-
ing English desyre y* they might be in Dutch.
Annals, ii. 17
194 The City Records.
[Translation.]
INSTRUCTIONS given by the Civil & Military officers of the
City and County of Albany to Reynier Barents one of the
Common Council of this city, who is sent to N : York as
their Agent.
1. You shall go with all Convenient Speed to the Sopus
and there in our name instantly require Capt. Garten or one
of the gentlemen who were recently here, to accompany
Rob* Livingston our Agent to N. England, and there pro-
cure if possible the assistance of 50 men with Provisions,
and if no people can be spared, to request money to aid in
assisting the King and Queens cause in this County and
that all means be used to persuade them to equip ships to
invade Canada, and to the End that the said journey may be
most speedily prosecuted he will please notify said agent
from the Esopus to be next Monday at Catskill with Capt
Ger 1 Teunise where our Agent shall be to proceed to-
gether by Tachkauick to Harford, Conveying the horses
over from Cattskill.
2. Yo u are to use all means to perswade the gentlemen
of the Sopus to send 50 men to our assistance with provision,
and if 50 cannot be obtained, then 30.
3. You will acquaint the gentlemen in the Sopus with
all the circumstances here and how necessary it is that we
have 500 Skepels of Maize for Supplying the Indians, re-
questing that they be pleased to send hither together a like
quantity for their Majesties ace 1 There shall be no doubt
but such shall be thankfully paid for at the first settling.
4 When arrived at N. York you will have to Wait on the
Governor if he be arrived, otherwise on the authority there,
and inform them pertinently of all the circumstances that
have occurred especially here since our last letters of the
15th inst that the Indians and Christians who pursued the
French, could not bring them back.
5. That they bring all their sea force together to unite
with our neighbours of Boston to attack Canada.
6. That we require people here to defend this place; also
some young Frieslanders (frissemaets) to accompany the
Indians as these Complain that no Christians go with them &
that they shall act in like manner by our young men.
The City Records. 195
7 That we here cannot subsist without supplies to wit of
Meat & Pork with Corn if things are to prosper here that
provision be therefore sent up with the people.
8. That you do also inform them how badly off this city
is for money to defray the publick expenses which are daily
so onerous that they cannot be met, and that be
sent us for the King's Service
9 That you do Set all this fully before them according to
the merits of the case, and beseech them to lay aside all
animosities and divisions and that every one exert his power
to crush the Common Enemy.
10. That you keep an exact account of your expenses
during this journey which will be allowed you by the public.
By the Convention of the Civill & military officers of y e
Citty & County of Albany
WHEREAS it is thougt convenient y l a fit Person be Com-
missionated to goe to N : Yorke to Communicate to y e autho-
rity there y e State & Condition of this Place and Confideing
in y e Integrity and fidelity of Reynier Barents one of y e
assistants of this Citty & a member of our Convention, have
Desyred and authorized him with all Convenient Speed to
goe to N : Yorke & to hasten there aid of men provisions &
money for y e Preservation of there Majesties' Intrest in
these parts & to use all Pressing Endevors that they may
joyn with our neighbours of N : England to fitt out vessells
to annoy y e french at Canida Earnestly Desyreing y 1 y e s d
Reynier Barents may be Reputed and Esteemed as our agent
in that Behalfe, Ratefyeing & Confirming whatever he shall
act or doe about y c p'mises, given under our hands & Sealls
in albany y e 20th day of february 16|-- and in y e first year
of y e Reign of our Souvraign Lord & Lady William & Mary
king and Queen of England & ;l 16f
Ordered y' y e following Instructions be Delivered to Rob 1
Livingston & he Desyred to Proceed in his journey for N :
England with all Expedition
196 The City Records.
INSTRUCTIONS for Robert Livingston Gentleman Sent by
y e Convention of y e Civill & Military officers of y e Citty
& County of albany to be there agent in n : England
1 Yow are to goe with y e first Conveniency to Canetticut
along with Captain Gerrit Teunise and such Person as y e
Gent : of y e County of Ulster shall appoint to joyn with y u
in this bussinesse, & if no such Person come to Catskill as
is appointed then with y c s c] Captain Gerrit Teunise & Com-
municate to y e Governor & Councill of Canetticut the state
of affares here, & in what Danger this Part of there Majes-
ties Territory is in, if not speedily assisted by our neigh-
bours,
2 Yow are to acquaint them how Requisite it is y l some
sudden means be used to fitt out vessells to goe to Canida
and Invade Quebek which is y e Easier and surer way then
by Land, since Quebek is but meanly fortified, & few men
there, y e strentch of Canida being Drawn up to mont Royall
which y e french have fortified.
3 Yow are to make y e addresse to y e s d Governor & Coun-
cill of Canetticut for y e assistance of fifty Brisk young men
or more fitt for traveling in y e woods to goe out upon occa-
sion with our People and y e Indians to annoy y e Enemy
4 After y u have discoursed of y e mean Condition of this
Place & how Scarce Provisions are like to be the farmers
leaveing there habitations, since y e murther Committed at
Shinnectady ; where great store of all sorts of Provisions
was Destroyed, then y u are to Desyre y e quantity of one
hundred Barrells of Porke or Beefe Equivalent for there
Majesties use to be Employed as occasion shall Require
for there Majesties Troops that lye in garrison here for y e
Defence of this part of y e Country
5 If y e governor & Councill of Canetticut doe Decline to
send any more men or no Provisions hither then y u are to
Insist y* y e Companie of Captain Bull stay here till further
order from there Majesties since it would be of Dangerous
Consequence to draw off s d Companie at this juncture &
Raise jealousies among y e Indians, while they are so Eager
for more men to Pursue y e warr against y e french.
6 Yow are to goe from Canetticut to Boston and apply
y r Self to y e governor and Councill there, & Inform them
The City Records. 197
of all affares here, what dammage y e french have done &
what Subtle Practices they use to draw of y e 5 nations of
Indians from there Dependance on y e Imperiall Croune of
England to side with y e french & how dangerous it would
be to there Majesties Intrest if s d nations should hearken
to y e Enemy.
7 That y e only means to Secure there Countryes from y e
Incursions of y e french and there Indians would be to Equipp
& Rigg out some vessells with men to Invade Quebek, &
to p'vent all Supplyes comeing from france whereby y e
french will be Discomfited and our Indians Incouraged to
Pursue y e warr by Land
8 That we of this government are not able to Resist y e
Power of Ganida without y e assistance of our neighbors, &
therefore Desyre y' fifty men or more may be Speedily sent
hither for y e Defence of y e Place and to Pursue y e Enemy
upon occasion and one hundred Barrells of Porke & Beefe
for there subsistence, which with that dayly Expected from
N : Yorke will much Contribute for y e Safety of y e Place,
since y e People here are so much Impoverished & Provisions
so Scarce by y e out plantations Being Deserted y' y e forces
cannot be maintained without a Supply
9 Yow are to acquaint y e s d Governor & Gouncill what
cost & Charge we have been att, with y- Indians, since these
Revolutions to secure them to this government, & y 1 it is
Impossible to Proceed without y e assistance of to
be Employed y 1 way which shall be Exactly accompted for,
what way Disposed & undoubtedly allowed by there Majes-
ties
10 Yow are to strive to make them senceible how usefull
y e 5 nations will be during y e warr with y e french of Canida
& how Dangerous it would be to loose them at such a junc-
ture & y e only means to induce them to be vigorous in y e
Prosecution of y e warr will be by giving them a good ex-
ample since they verry well know y 1 y e English here farr
exceed them of Canida
11 Yow are to keep an Exact account of whatever Charges
yw & ye Persones goeing witk y w from this County are att in
y e Prosecution ofy r Journey out & home & whatever y w
Disburse over and above y e money now given shall be
198 The City Records.
allowed yw on acc t O f ye Publik which if not be allowed by
there Majesties then shall be paid by y e County
12 Since it is unknowne to us what occurrences y w may
meet withall in this Employ. Yow are to act & doe in our
Behalfe with our s d neighbours whatever y w shall juge ex-
pedient & needful for ye secureing of there Majesties Intrest
here in these parts and Safety of there Subjects, Ratefying
& Confirming whatever y w shall act or Perform Concerning
y e Premises
N. B. y e alteration of Chargeing y e Expenses to y e Pub-
like which if not be allowed by there Majesties then shall
be p d by y e County was made before Signing
Signd P B SCHUYLER Mayor
DIRK WESSELLS Recorder
JAN JANSE BLEEKER alderman
JOHANNES WENDEL alderman
K. V. RENSSELAER
Albany 4th of March 16fJ
By the Convention of y e Civill and Military officers of y e
Citty and County of albany
WHEREAS y e Exigency of affares here doth Require that
some fitt Persones be sent from hence to our neighbors of
N : England to Inform y e authority there, in what condition
we are in, & what apprehensions we have of y e french doeing
more mischeffe*in these Parts Especially iff they should gett
y e 5 nations of Indians westward to there devotion which
they Indefaticably strive to accomplish, & Confideing and
being sufficiently assured of y e Integrity & fidelity of our well
beloved friendes Robert Livingston gentleman & Capt G-errit
Teunise, we have Desyred & authorized Impowered & Com-
missionated them to be our agents in y l affare to treat with &
consult y e honorable Governor & Councill of there Majesties
Respective Collonyes of Massachusetts and Canetticut such
things as shall be Requisite for there Majesties King William
& Queen Maryes Service & y e Safety of there subjects in these
Parts laying before them y e necessity of joyning all forces that
can be procured to Invade the french of Canida by Sea &
Land & Put a Stopp to there wicked & cruell Designs & also
to desyre such assistance & supply from them as this place
The City Records. 199
doth stand in need off, Earnestly Desyreing they would give
Credence to y e s d Rob 1 Livingston & Capt Gert Teunise, &
yt they may be Reputed & Esteemed as our agents in y l
Behalfe, given under our hands & sealls in albany y e 3d
day of March in y e 2d year of there Majesties Reign anoq.
Dom. 1690
Signd P B SCHUYLER Mayor
D WESSELLS Recorder.
JOH : WENDEL ) alderman.
JAN BLEEKER }
K. V. RENSELAER
The meaner sort of People of y e Toune were Extream
Importune with y e Magistrates to Prohibite y e Exportation
of goods who being verry Refractory & unruly y e Magis-
trates to satisfye them Published this following
[Translation.]
By the Convention of the Civill & Military Officers of the
Citty and County of Albany
WHEREAS there are great Complaints & murmurings a-
mong the Commonalty because the Traders export their
goods, whereby many persons are so discouraged that they
will quit the place leaving their Majesties interest here and
their subjects a prey to the Enemy.
The Civil & Military Officers so as to prevent such mis-
chiefs, hereby expressly forbid all persons whomsoever to
export any Merchandize such as Indian Cargoes, shirts,
linen, cloths, Kerseys, Sarges and other goods requisite for
the clothing as well of Christians as Indians, on pain of Con-
fiscation of said goods for their Majesties use.
But they are permitted to take away all Beavers, peltries,
money, furniture & household articles, fine Silk stuffs, lace
and such like fine articles and goods unnecessary for Cloth-
ing which cannot be used here In order that all such
may be regularly done, Johannes Beekman Jan Vinnagen
& Jacobus Turke are ordered to inspect the goods in the
houses before they are embarked, and permit such to be put
on board
200 The City Records.
And all men are forbidden to depart this County pursuant
to previous Proclamation dated 7th August 1689 which is
now Confirmed. Done 4th March 1690.
Albany. In the year 1690 y e 14 of October
When Jacob Leysler had usurped y e government the
following Persones were chosen John Becker Evert Banker
John Bleecker Claes Ripse Gert Ryerse Eghbert Teunise
Aldermen. Johannes de Wandelaer Hend van Dyck Luykas
Gerritse P r Davidtse Joh : Abeel Ger< van Ness Assistants.
By the Lieutenant Governor &c
[From Papers, &c., in Leisler's time.]
WHEREAS One Robert Livingston by the Instigac6n of
the Devill did utter y e Malice of his heart in Saying that
he was Enformed that a par cell of rebel Is were gone out of
holland to England & that y e prince of Orange headed
them Saying that they might See how they got of againe or
words to this purpose & that they should Come to y e Same
End that Monmouth did & hath Cdmitted other high
Crimes.
These are in his Majesties Name to will and require all
psons within this Province to apprehend y e s d Livingston &
bring him before me to answer for y e Same & all governors
& Magistrates of y e Neighbouring Colonies are hereby ad-
vertized & desired In his Majesties King Williams behalfe
to assist In apprehending y e s d Livingston if within their
Jurisdiction as they do tender y e King's Interest, y e Wel-
fare of y e Protestant Cause & their Allegiance. Given &c
March the 1st 1689.
JACOB LEISLER
To Captain Benjamin Blagge & all others
whom this shall or may Concerne.
By the Lieutenant Governor & Councill &ca
WHEREAS a Certaine number of People terming them
selves a Convention with In the Citty & County of Alban
have vindicated y e authority of Colonel Thomas Dongan
Countenanced his & Sir Edmund Andros their Illegall &
The City Records. 201
Arbitrary Comissions & proceedings acting thereby Like-
wise having assumed to themselves the Ruling power by
keeping his Majesties fort &c a Contrary to y e Authority of
this province to y e great disturbance of his Majesties subjects
and other y e good & peaceable Inhabitants thereof as also
Contemning his Majesties Orders & directions not only by
not proclaiming ther Majesties according to an Order from
y e R l Honorable y e Lords of his Majesties Most honorable
Privy Councill dated y e 29th July 1689 but opposing & in an
hostile & rebellious manner forbidding and hindring y e
Same besides many others Seditious practises all which are
pernicious & destructive to his Majesties Interest y e peace
tranquillity & welfare of his Province & y e Government
thereof; & hath been y e dcasion of Encouraging y e French
& Indians Ennemies to attack and destroy the Inhabitants
of Skannectady, toy e great weakning of his Majesties forces
in y e s d County.
These are to authorise Empower & Constitute you Mrs
Joannes de Bruyn Joannes Provoost & Jacob Melbourne to
take into your care and under your directions & Comand all
y e forces now raised in N: York and adjacent Countyes
with all ammunicon & provisions thereunto apointed & forth-
with proceed from hence to Albany afores d where you are
to Super Intend direct Order and Controull all matters &
things relating his Majesties Interest & revenue in that
County & y e Security & Safety of his people & subjects
therein by treating with y e Confederate Indians and other
Such Methods & Meanes as to you shall seem meet that may
Conduce to y e End before menconed likewise to proclaime
their l publishing their gracious Orders & denounce war
against y e french King &ca Subduing Reducing and bring-
ing to their obedience all such who oppose y same & to
settle & establish y e s ' County in y e Same Method & Con-
stitution as this his Majesties City and County of N. York
& others thereunto apertaining & further you are to obtaine
y e fort ORANGE at Albany from those of y e Convencon &
there adherents by due sumons offering them such Condi-
c6ns as may be Agreable to y e End aboves d , but in case of
1 " Maties King William & Queen Mary, " These words are
omitted in the original.
202 The City Records.
resistance then you are to treat them as Ennemies to o r
Sovereigne Lord y e King his Crowne & dignity y same
to Subdue & over Come by force of Arms & all manner of
Hostility whatsoever willing and Comanding all psons with-
in the County afores cl to Be aiding and assisting therein as
they will Answer y e Contrary at their utmost perills hereby
giving & granting unto you full power & authority to Con-
sult Act do & conclude all matters & things for or concern-
ing his Majesties Interest & y e Welfare of and Security of
that county as y e case shall require & to your judgement
shall seem requisite, conforming ratifieng & establishing
whatsoever you shall so act or do in y e prmisses to Be good
Valid & of full force & virtue to all Intents Construccons
& purposes whatsoever GIVEN under o r hands & Seals &c
New York this 4th of March 1689
HENRY COYLER BENJAMIN BLAGGE
SAMUEL STAETS JACOB LEISLER
HENRY VAN FEURDEN P D'LANOY
JOANNES VERMILJE SAMUEL EDSALL
Extracts from Letters.
ffort william March 4th 1689
HONORABLE SIR GOVERNOR or BOSTON
Yours of the 8th instant by Mr pembrock I received & I
returne you many thanks for the care I perceive you have
had for our packet, since your last wee have received the
sad & miserable newes from Skenectedy neere Albany where-
of wee understand is laid to your woefull account it is such
newes as we feared long since. Alase what could there be
expected of a certane number of rebellious people that re-
mained rulling under that arbitrary Commissione of sir Ed-
mund at Albany within this province, and encouraged &
supported by Cpnnecticoatt by ordering their forces sent
thither to obserue the directions of the s d rebells named a
Conventione, being well assured the same is supported more
specially by that trayterous John Allan the Secretary of
that Collony immediately upon the newes wee sent a mes-
singer to advise the Governor that he may expect three
messingers from hence with full power to propose to them
what may be necessary for his Majesties intrest& the safety
The City Records. 203
of these provinces which was answered with great disdaine
imaginable, soe that wee are denied the assistance wee ex-
pected from that part to day I hope our forces will depart
being already einbarqued wee send also three members of
our counsell with presents to the nationes of the confederate
Indianes and to endeavour to strengthen & corroborate their
enmity to the french, and if they see meet to send any of
our forces to joine with them agt the french att the first
hearing of the s d newes I immediately made an allarum and
in the morning disarmed & Imprisoned about 40 commis-
sioned officers by sir Edmond who in the afternoon delivered
up the same which was effected in the night by sixteen
troopers, so that I gott in about 150 Commissiones & our
militia well setled soe that wee are now in a very good pos-
ture of union & better able to resist an enemy as ever, I
have seaven in confinement, & a great many have abscond
themselves with dongan, I shall be glad to understand
from your Honor what measures you are like to take to at-
tack the french and what assistance you are willing to afford
us, for one exploit agt Canada by land or sea (Connecticott
having refused to advise with us) etc.
ffort william March the 5th 1689 :
To THE GOVERNOR OF BOSTONE
Honored sir yesterday was my last to your Honor
This morning I received newes that one Robert Livingstone
who by his rebellione hath caused great disorder in the
County of Albany and also in the wholl province by main-
taining the late comissiones granted unto them by sir Ed-
mund Andross & Coll : dongan & other directiones which
were given by the magistrates which were appoynted per
Coll : dongan & sir Edmond Andross whereby they have
caused a divisione & a rebellione, so that they been careless
of watching, denying 52 souldiers which were sent up under
the command of Captain States Inhabitant at Albany
chosen by most of the Inhabitants there & commissionated
by the Governor & Councill in hindering one Captain Ruster
who was commissionated with 25 men to joine himselfe
with our confederate Indianes to proceed agt the french,
This rebell Livingstone being conscious of his crymes &
204 The City Records.
understanding our forces were coming up, he upon pretence
of going to raise forces at Connecticutt & Boston for to de-
fend Albany is departed yesterday for that intent, as is s d ,
to obtaine such if possible as may side with them & be obe-
dient to their rebellious conventione, I beleeve they may
expect him againe if the rogue does not rune further which
I doubt he will if not prevented, by apprehending of him he
being also considerably indebted to his Majestic, therefore
have sent the bearer Captain Benjamin Blagg or Lievtdaniell
Teneur to persue him with a warrant to that purpose desire-
ing your Honor to assist him or either of them in the secur-
ing the s d rebell it will be a great service, I will further
recommend your Honor not to faill to assist us, so well by
sea as by land not doubting if you are brisk & doe what you
can but what we shall conquer Cannada pray give us speedy
advice to what we may trust that we may encourage the
Indianes & tell them the truth, This is all for the present
after my service I remaine sir &c :
[A duplicate of the above was addressed also to Connecticut.]
[March 168990
S B
Your warr 1 for seizing Mr Levingston wee have received
& the answer to it which the Governor Gave L' terneur wee
have seen & appoved of it which is our Answer to what
you propownded in that warr 1 but as to what you mention
concerning the managment of y e designe against y e french,
at Canada wee are willing & free to Joyn with all y e rest of
y e Collonys, & provinces in this Wilderness to do what wee
shall Judge nessery to manage the designe against y e french
the Common Enemy of his Majesties subjects in these
parts, according to our ability, we heare you have also de-
signed a Considerable force for Canada out of those you have
sent and are sending now to Albany wee would encourage
that notion but it is not Land forces will effect it but force
by seas is necessary and wee have now writt to y e Gentleman
of Boston & must wayt for their resolves till wee hear further
from them Sr wee cannot ad to what wee have formerly
writt to you but must advice you to moderation & to make as
Little Alterac6n amonge y e Officers of Albany as may be &
The City Records. 205
also that nothing be done to discourage the five nations In
Amety with us for if any thing be Done that may have
such an aspect the damages that may come thereby to be
answered for by those that are active therein you whare so
charged with aiding and abetting those rebbells of y e Con-
vention at Albany by Capt Bull & our souldiers there to
prevent any thing that may looke Like an Incouragement
to them wee have sent for our Souldiers wbome Imediately
upon y e arrivall of yours which we hope will be to your
satisfaction I have not to add saue onely or respects & to
desire that you should studdy ways of peace that nothing
may be moued that may administer prouocation to yours or
us who are Your friends & servants the Gouernr & Councill
of Connecticut pr
their order Signed
JOHN ALLYN Secy
Albany ye 17th day of March 1689 Present J : H : Bruyn
Joh : Provoost Jac : Milborne Com rs P r Schuyler Mayor
d : wessells Joh : wendel Levinus v : Shayk.Jan J: Bleeker
Alb' Ryckman ald m Kiliaen v : Rens : Marte gerritse
Wee the Commissioners of the Leift governeur of y e Pro-
vince of N : York, and his Councill find it verry nessesery
that y e Companie of Souldiers sent by The Colonie of Conet-
tekot under Comand of Captain Jonathan Bull ought to Re-
maine here. In Reguard of our Curcumstances Concerning
the french and there Confedereths, and the alliwed Indians
being Ingaged with us haveing taken notis what forces wee
are able to Continue for their Incouragement, after debatting
& Consulting with advys of the gentlemen Present doe Con-
clude that y e s c1 Captain Bull with his s d Companie of Soul-
diers shall Remaine in this Citty & County of alb : so Long
as his Majesties Intrest & the Preserving of this Post Re-
quires
By order of y e Commissioners
JOHANNIS CUYLER Cl,
Annals, ii. 18
206 The City Records.
Albany March 20th 1689
GrENTS According to your Expectacon yesterday having
discoursed with you : Wee returne for answer.
That its o r opinion your pay being promised by the 4
psons you named they ought to performe the said promise,
and the Law will compell them at least to give you Suffi-
cient Security upon the arrivall of a governor from England,
or within Gweekestime tohaueyour payment, in which wee
will give you our Assistance and constitute a Court which
wee haue no reason to doubt but will answer this end.
That those who will remaine in the Garrison are at their
liberty to continue and reasonable that Wee should Subscribe
for their Pay, advancing somewhat for their present accom-
modation, and Such who are disposed to quit the Garrison
are at their Liberty.
That Provisions shall be weekly allowed them according
to the former Custome : The Kings pay to continue
[Endorsed, Capitulacon with the Garrison in Fort Orange March
20th 1689.]
By the Commissioners for y e Citty & County of alb : y e
Mayor aldermen & Justices of y e s d County. Present as
before, also Claes Ripse
WHEREAS There hath unhappely arose differences which
hath created animosities and great distinctions amongst his
Majesties Subjects in the Citty & County of alb :
These are in his Majesties name strictly to forbid all Per-
sons whatsoever that they doe no wise asperse Reproach,
each other by words or actions to y e Disquietude or discourge-
ment of any the good People in this Citty & County, of what
rank or quality soever, under penalty of being Prosecuted
as disturbers of his Majesties Peace and the quiet and Tran-
quility of the Inhabitants thereof, (upon Conviction of twoo
witnesse before any of his Majesties Justices of y e Peace)
so far as y e Rigour of y e Law will inflict upon them, dated
In alb : This 22th day of March 1689.
By order of y e Comm : &c.
The City Records. 207
By the Commissioners for y e Citty & County of alb : &c.
WHEREAS great Complaint is made of y e Severall Burgers
under y Comand of their officers in this Citty & County
of alb : that they doe not obey y e Lawfull Commands of
their Captains and other officers appointed over them
These are to will & Require all Persons whatsoever under
such Commanders that they in no wise neglect, dispute,
denye or Resist the Lawfull Commands of their s d officers
upon Penalty of being Proceeded against by the Court
marshall (in this time of warr) constituted for y e s d Citty
and County whose insures shall be Executed in the most
Stricted Rigour, dated In alb : This 22th day of March
1689
By order of y e Commissioners &c.
By the Commissioners &c.
Forasmuch as many Persons have given, forth that they
will depart this County for y e Preservation of their persons
&c. and the warr with y e french & their alleyes call for y e
Strengthning his Majestic forces therein as much as Possible
may be,
These are in his Majesties name to Prohibite and forbid
all mankind of what ranke or quality they may bee, from
fourteen years of age unto sixty years if ould, or under,
that they do not Transport their Persons out of this County
upon any Pretence whatsoever under y e Penalty of forfeit-
ing one hundred Pounds Currant monney of this Province
which shall be for d'fraying the Charge for Support and
Carrying on of this Immediate war, against the french and
the allyes aforesaid Except masters of vessels and Seafare-
ing Persons whose Livelyhoods depend upon the water,
dated In alb : This 22th day of March 1689.
By order of y e Commissioners &c
These are to give notice to all Persons within this Citty
& County of alb : That Peter Schuyler Esq r is Establisht
Mayor of y e s d Citty and Joh : wendel, Levinus v : schayk,
Jan Janse Bleeker, Albert Ryckman, Claes Ripse, aldermen,
208 The City Records.
and dirck weasel's, Guiliam van Renslaer, Marten gerritsen,
Sander glen, abrah : States, & dirck Teunisse Justices of
y e Peace for y e s d Citty & county, and to Remaine & be
untill further order from his Majestic & all Persons within
this s d Citty & County are hereby strictly charged that they
acknowledge Reverence and obey the same in their Severall
Stations upon Penalty of being prosecuted as Enimies to
this Province and disturbers of his Majesties Peace and the
welfare of y e Inhabitants of this Citty & County dated In
alb : This 22th day of March and in y e Second year of his
Majesties Reign annoq. dom : 1689
By order of y e Commissioners &c.
By the Commissioners &c.
These are to Authorise & appoint you Mess : Luycas ger-
ritse & wessel ten Broek to provide, and direct all such Pro-
visions of bread as shall be Requisite for supplying those
forces which shall be at all times sent from hence in the
Seruice of his Majestic against the french and their con-
federates according to o r orders as shall be directed to
Johannis Cuyler as occasion offers, dated in aft) : March
the 22th 1689
Pr order
By the Commissioners &c.
WHEREAS the Records, Bookes and Papers &c. Relating
to y e Citty & County of alb : are in the Possession of Mr.
Robert Livingston and Mr. Johannis Cuyler being consti-
tuted Clerk & Register of y e s d Citty & County,
These are in his Majesties name to will & Require you to
deliver the s d Records Bookes and Papers &c. unto y e s d
Cuyler And his Receipt shall be a sufficient discharge,
dated In alb : This 22th day of March 1689
To Mr. Robert. Livingston or any in whose Costody The
same are
At a meeting of the Commisioners &c. Albany This 22th
day of March 1689
After Consultaceon Relating the present State of this
Citty & County of alb : in Reguard of y e war withy e french
City Records. 209
and Their Confederates, It is Concluded that N : Yorke
doth fornish these. following p'ticulars Viz 1 : 200 Men; 600
Schiple of Indian Corne ; 100 Barrills of Pork ; 14000
Ib of bread; 100 Schiple of Pease; 200 gall, of Rum;
2100 ells Brown osenburg; 100 drest dear skins; 3000 Ib of
Lead; 400 Ib of Powder; 180 Kartrit Boxes; 200 Ib of
Swan Shot.
And that y e Citty & County, of alb : Doe Provide and
furnish the following Percells viz 1 : 6000 Ib of Bread ; 150
Shiple of Pease ; 100 drest dear Skins ; 400 Ib Pouder ; 4000
flints; 30 bark Conoos; 60 gunns; DO Hatchets.
Albany ye 24th of March 1689.
At A meeting were Present y e Commissioners for y e Citty
& County of alb. advysing with Sundrey officers of y e
Militia There, where upon It is Resolved That y e fol-
lowing persones be Commissionated, vizt.
Capt Jochim Staets Com- lr of Fort Orange always to keep
under Command in s ci fort 60 men, Lievt Jonathan wrigt,
Ens : John Hater. For the city of albany, Pieter winne
Toune Major, Capt Johannis wendel, Melgert Wynants, Ens :
Reynier Barentse, Capt Pieter van waggelen, Leift Rob f
Sanders, Ens: Joh: Bleeker Jun r , Capt Barnet Luwis,
Leiv 1 Marte Klock, Ens : ----- For the County of
albany, Capt Marten gerritse, Liev 1 Evert d'Ridder, Ens :
Zymon van ness, Capt Alexander glen, Leift Johannis glen,
Ens : douwe Aukus, Cap 1 Johannis Bensing, Lieft Andries
Barentse, Ens : Johannis Janse.
Ordered That y e aforesaid Commissionated officers Now
are Establiseth & shall from this time forth Remaine, and
be in full Power & y e Authority, & y e Authority for y e Militia
of this & County To act & doe in all matters and things relat-
ing Militarie affaires according toy 6 Rules & decipline of war,
untill further order from his Majestic king William of
England Scotland french & Irland &c. & That seaven of
y e s- 1 Commission 1 " 8 shall be and are hereby Constituted &
aPointed a Court Marshall To Consult, apoint, Judge, order,
Censure & determing whatsoever shall aroise under marchall
notice within this Citty & County whereof Three Captains
& Toune Major are always to be members, onles in y e
210 The City Records.
Majors absence, Then y e Eldert Capt of y e Fort orange is
ever to Preside, To whom all Souldiers & others that are
able to bear armes from 16 years old and upwards are to
give due Reverence & obedience as they will Answer y e
Contrary at their utmost Perrill, dated in alb : The day &
year first written & in y e Second year of his Majesties
Reign
By order of y e Commissioners
[Translation.]
By the Commissioners, Mayor Aldermen and Justices & a of
the City and County of Albany.
You are hereby ordered in his Majestys King William's
name to take hence forthwith 17 Soldiers under your com-
mand, and march with them towards Schagtkook, and take
thence (according to the Indians' promise) 20 savages with
you and proceed -thence to Crown Point, where you shall re-
main and keep good watch by day & by night especially
detach each day good outscouts and spies about half a dutch
mile beyond said Crown Point until Sundown, and when-
ever you perceive or meet any French or their Indians from
Canada you shall endeavour to despoil, plunder and do them
all injury as enemies, according to the usage of War; and
the aforesaid Soldiers are hereby strictly charged to obey
their officers in all things.
In like manner Dirk albertse Brad is sent with that view
with the aforesaid Company of Soldiers as guide and Indian
Interpreter, who shall advise and consult with the aforesaid
officers in all things that relate to the advantage of his Ma-
jesties interest and this undertaken expedition : and further
you shall remain until further order at the aforesaid Crown
point, unless you are assured that a large army of the Enemy
is really and truly approaching which it is impossible to re-
sist ; then you must send a messenger hither cito cito and
endeavour to do your best as far as in your power. Mean-
while you shall occasionally try to make some Bark Canoes
to be used should necessity require.
We conclude then that you shall remain at Crown point
aforesaid until further order; that is if you be not necessitated
as abovestated. Thus given under our hands in Albany
The City Eeeords. 211
this 26th March and in the Second Year of his Majesty's
reign annoq : dom. 1690. Was Signed
J. BRUYN,
To Capt Jacobus d'Warm JOHANNIS PROVOOST
over the 17 Soldiers aforesaid. P B SCHUYLER,
DIRCK WESSELS.
LEV. VAN SCHAYK.
Albany, 27 March Ao 1690.
CAPT JACOB MILBORNE, We expect that you have arrived
safely to day at N. Yorck. We are obliged to notify you
to procure these indispensable necessaries viz. 3 @ 400
unmanufactured horns which can be easily had at Nicolaas
Blanks and can be quickly put in order here ; further as
much duffels as you can get, bleu baize for shirts, provision
400 Ibs Swan shot, 50 Kettles.
Yesterday evening the Soldiers tormented us considerably
for blankets, as it is was very cold. We went every where
and could not find any The Soldiers from the outposts, also
whom we provided with duffels for coverlets, namely from
our own duffels so that our stock which was intended for
the Indians is diminished. The Soldiers in the fort must
also have duffels as blankets are not to be had here.
The picquet proceed immediately to their post. I forgot
to send to you for 8 @ 10 hour glasses which are very
necessary for the watches. W T herewith doubting not of
your diligence and speedy return, We remain
Your affectionate friends
JOHANNES PROVOOST & in
the name of J. H. BRUYN.
Albany 38. March 1690.
List of the Goods s^nt from York and received from
Monsieur Jan Hendricksen Brujn and Johannes Proofoost
to be distributed among the Refugees of Schoonectede, to
wit 2348J Dutch ells of Osenb : Linen, 3 p* Serge, 13
pairs Stockings, 72 ells pennestout, and delivered to the
Deacons of Schoonectede and the Deacons of Albany, to
wit : Barent Wimp, Jan Byvanck, Johannes de Wandelaer,
212 The City Records.
Jacob Loockermans. First, distributed to the following 6|
ells each of Sarge : Barent Wimp, Harmen Vedder, Symen
Schemenhoorn, Symen Groot, Arent Vedder, Aniie Widow
of Frans, Willein Appel, Goosen Van Oort, Samuel Bradt,
An dries Bradt, Johannes Dyckman, Geertruy Groot, 3 p s
Sarge distributed of 79 & f .
List of the Pennestout : to Aces Cornelise, 7 ells ; Dirck
Bradt, 7; Isack de .Teurcx, 8; Nieces Volckers, 3 ;
Johannes Dyckman, 3; Jan Eps, 7; Loowies Ooopeele, 3;
Pieter Van Olinda, 7; Gerret Jansen, 5 ; Willem Van Eerde,
3; Arent Vedder, 3; Elias Swart, 7; Jan Buys, 4;
Geertruy Groot, 3
List of the Stockings, to each one : 1 pair Marius Vedder :
one pair of Stockings, Symen Groot one pair, Jan Buys,
Willem Apel, Symen Schemenhooren, Gyspert Gerrets,
Harmen Vedder, Hendrick Gardeniers, Samuel Bradt, Dirck
Heffelingh, Adam Frooman, Tuenis Carstensen, Gerret
Gysbersen, The no. of the Stockings 13 pairs
List of the Osenburg Linen : Harmen Vedder, 80 ells ;
Jan Eps, 70 ; Catlyn Barensen, 70; Dirck Bradt, 65 ; Barent
Wemp, 70; Dirck Hesselinger, 58; Willem Appel, 80;
Goosen van Oort, 50 ; Gyspert Gerrets, 80 ; Nieces Volc-
kertsen, 20 ; Jacob van Laer, 20 ; Willem van Eerde, 75 ;
Cornelis Viele, 40; Marius Haegedoorn, 40; Jannetie
Sche'rmenhooren, 40 ; Cornelis Schermenhooren, 20; Citte
Bradt, 60, Henderick Gardeniers, 40 ; Cornelis Claesen,
20; Geertruy Groot, 31; Susanne Tellers, 50; Aces Cor-
nelis, 50 ; Dieuer Wimp, 55 ; Anne Harmensen, 65 ; Tryntie
Bosboom, 20; Symon Volcker, 30; Samuel Bradt, 50;
Tryntie Schaets, 80; David Cristofelsen's children, 50;
Johannes Pootmans children, 70; Adam Frooman, 70;
Symon Schermenhooren, 50; Purmerent, 40; Symen Groot,
80 ; Fytie Pietersen Rosboom, 20 : total Distributed to
Schoonechtede. 1809 ells.
List of the Linen distributed in the Bush ( Woestine) :
Elias Swart, .36 ells; Lauries Coopesen, 20; Isack Teuerx,
40 ; Jan Buys, 23 ; Tuenis Carstensen, 35 ; Binnonie Arent-
sen, [Corlaer] 25; Dauit Marienissen, 30; Elias Gyseling,
30 ; Arent Vedder, 30 ; Pitter Van Olinda, 35 ; Jan Frooman
30; Manis Vedder, 24; Tuenis Viele, 20; Tryntie Verwy,
The City Eecords. 213
15; Claes Graef, 35; Jan Hilt, 25; Cornells Groot, 20;
Jan Luycessen, 18 ; Johannes Dyckman, 30 ; Lysbet Cor-
nelissen, 15 : total 2349
By me
JOHANNES DE WANDELAER
Deacon of Albany.
At a meeting of Mayor Aldermen & Common Council
holden in Albany this 28 March 1690 Present, P'
Schuyler Dirck Wesselse L. V. Schayck, J J Biecker
Claes Ripsen Alb 1 Ryckman, Reynier Barentz, Evert
Bancker, Eghbert Teunissen Ger 1 Reyersen.
Having taken into Consideration how we shall obtain for
King William's ace 1 the ammunition and provision which
we are obliged to deliver from this County pursuant to our
preceding Resolution adopted with the Honorable Commis-
sioners from N. York on the 22nd March last and prepare
forthwith for the Equipment of an Army both of Christians
and Indians against our Enemies of Canada, and Resolve as
followeth
Pieter Schuyler & Dirck Wesselse are appointed to get
ready 6000 Ibs hard bread for the King's ace 1
Johannis Wendel 100 prepared deer skins
Levinus Van Schayk 150 skepels peas
Jan Janse Bleeker & Reynier Barentse 60 guns & 100
axes
Claes Ripsen & Albert Ryckman the materials & expence
for repairing the following 30 B. Canoes.
Evert Bancker Eghbert Teunissen & Ger 1 Ryersen for 30
Bark Canoes
Job : Cuyler the 400 Ibs Powder
Gabriel Thomson the 100 gall Rom
By the Commissioners, the Mayor Aldermen & Justice & ca of
the City and County of Albany.
You are hereby ordered in his Majesties name to take
hence forthwith under your command 9 men and march
with Jannetie or Laurence the Mohawk Indian and his party
214 - The City Records.
of savages with some Sehagtkooks Indians upward about
seven miles beyond the Crown-point unto the Otter-creek,
or some other better place or Rendesvous which you may
consider more suitable safer and more advantageous where
you shall remain and keep good watch day and night, and
send out especially good scouts and spies every day till Sun-
down, and you shall correspond daily with Capt Jacobus de
Warm & his soldiers who are sent to the aforesaid Crown
point, and mutally communicate to each other all remarka-
ble occurences, and should you perceive or meet any French
or Canada Indians, you must endeavor to despoil, plunder
and do them all injury as Enemies conformably to the
Custom of War : And the aforesaid 9 men are hereby
strictly charged to obey their officers in all things.
And the Officers shall in all things advise with the afore-
said Indian, Jannetie, as to what concerns his Majisty's
Interest and this undertaken.Expedition. You shall, like-
wise, remain at the aforesaid Otter Creek, or at the place
you may think fit as above, for the time of one month except
you really and truly perceive the approach of a powerful
enemy's force, which you cannot resist, then you must Cito
cito send a Messenger hither, and the remainder of Your
Company must return immediately here to the City.
But if there be any Volunteers, either Christians or
Indians who will proceed from the aforesaid Otterkill to
Canada as Spies, to reconnoitre or to take prisoners they have
permission so to do, provided the post at the aforesaid
Otterkill or your sojourn, shall always remain fully esta-
blished. Meanwhile you shall manufacture some Bark
Canoes which you can use according to Circumstances.
Thus Given under our hands In alby. this 31st March, and
in the 2nd year of his Majesty's Reign Annoq : Dom. 1690
J BRUYN
To Capt Abraham JOH : PROVOOST
Schuyler P r SCHUYLER
DIRCK WESSELSE
JOH : WENDEL
N : B. the aforesaid 9 men are Arent Schuyler Casper
Teller But Teunissen David Kettelhuyn Daniel Brad Hendk
Jansen van Saragtoge Tho Sjeer Willem the Indian
The City Records. - 215
By the Commissioners, the Mayor, Aldermen & Justices
of the Peace of the City & County of Albany.
WHEREAS you were ordered in your preceding Commission
dated 26th March last to remain at Crown point till further
orders as more fully appears in said Commission, and we
are now asked if any other better sojourn or place of Ren-
dezvous can be found
These are, therefore, if you can find out any fitter place
than the aforesaid Crown Point which you Know will be more
secure, to empower you to do so with advice and consultation
of Dirk Albertsen Brad and the Schagtkook Indians, on
condition that you Send out Spies dayly towards the said
Crown point : you shall also daily correspond with Capt
Abraham Schuyler and his people and mutually com-
municate all notable occurrences. And further you shall
follow and obey your previous commission in all things.
Thus given under our hands In Albany this 1st April in the
2nd Year of his Majestys Reign A Dom 1 . 1690.
Was Signed, J BRUYN
JOH : PROVOOST
PETER SCHUYLER
DIRCK WESSELSE
JOH : WENDELL
To Capt Jacobus de Warm
[Translation.]
The Commissaries at Albany to Leisler.
Alby. the 3d Aprill 1690.
MYNHEER Mynheer, We again yesterday sent up a
Scouting Party of 9 @ 10 Christians with about as many
Indians who will cooperate as far as possible with the party
previously sent up, against our enemies the french and their
Indians from Canada, for his Majesties Interest.
The Sheriff and County Clerk forwarded also yesterday
the Minutes and other Books & papers &c. belonging to this
City and the County of Albany, but found the Registers
only to 1st December 1685. And Robbert Livingstons wife
said, she has no Knowledge of the others. Item, were in
like manner, Since, all the Excise Books and a cs concerning
216 The City Records.
his Majestys Revenue because there were reasons numerous
enough to secure said Livingston, so that he may give ex-
planations of all the accounts.
N : B. We also Send your Honour enclosed, six sworn
affidavits against the aforesaid Livingston in behalf of his
Majesty. Item, herewith goes, besides, a packet of papers
which we found in an old box in which were also discovered
Some articles of value (Klynodie goederen) which heretofore
belonged to the Canadian Jesuit Yaliand. These we have
inventoried here for his Majestys use until further Order.
We also pursuant to your Honor's order allowed the free-
holders of this Citty & County to Choose & elect 2 proper
persons to consult & conclude at New York concerning his
Majesty's interest in this conjuncture, and the majority of
votes have accordingly fallen on Capt Jan Janse Bleeker
& Reyer Schermerhoren, and inasmuch as there is no sloop
at present here in which the aforesaid can depart, they shall
be forwarded by the first opportunity were it only a canoe.
At present no more from
Your Honour's faithful Friends
Endorsed Alb. 2 apll 1690 Copy van Een brief Aen d'Luyt govr
,. Jacob Leysler in het fort William tot-N. Yorke.
Depositions Against Livingston.
Present J Bruyn Johannes Prov 1 Jan J Bleeker Joh Cuyler
Akes Cornellissen Van Slyck of the County of Albany,
aged about 50 years being sworn on the Holy Evangelists
before Mr Jan Jansen Bleeker Justus of the Peace declares
that about the middle of Feb A 168| he was with his wife
Grrietje and George Aersen at Robert Livingston's house
and that he deponent stated and said to said Livingston
Thou hast read the King's Declaration in English but I
cannot understand it therefore repeat it to me in Dutch.
Whereupon the aforesaid Livingston answered & said
That the King stated that many of his Subjects had run
away from England to Holland, of whom the Prince is the
Chief Rebel and said further, Let him come to England ;
he shall find there as good Soldiers to oppose him as he shall
bring with him. And further he saith not. Thus in Albany
The City Records. 217
this 1st April and in the 2nd Year of his Majesty's Reign
A Dom : 1690.
Sworn before Me.
Grietje wife of Akes Cornelissen, aged about 45 years
being sworn before Jan Janse Bleeker Justus of the Peace
de'clares that she was with her husband Akes & Joris Aersen
about the Middle of February 168f at Robert Livingston's
house, and that she Deponent heard said Livingston state
that the King said that the Prince is the head of the rebels.
And further she knoweth not well whether she heard from
Livingston or her husband or from Jor : Aersen she, how-
ever, heard one of the three say that Livingston had also
said that divers English subjects had run away from England
to Holland; also, let him but come to England he shall there
find as good soldiers as he shall bring with him, and she
further saith not. Thus, in Alby 1 April 1690
Present. J Bruyn Joh Provoost Joh Wendel
Reyer Schermerhooren of the county of Albany, aged
about 38 years being sworn before Mr Johannis Wendel,
Justus of the Peace, declares that he was last harvest at
Sweer Teunissens van Velsen's house at Schanhegtade,
where Joris Aersen, Capt Sander Glen, Joh Glen & Myndert
Wemp were present, and that then Joris Aersen was asked
if he had heard Robert Livingston Say that the Prince of
Orange (who is our King of England & ca ) was the head of
the Rebels who invaded England with the Prince A 1688
Whereupon the aforesaid Jor : Aersen answered, No I did
not hear Livingston say so; but he said this that in the
declaration which the Late King James issued against the
Hollanders he had read that the Prince was declared to be
the Head of the Rebels Whereupon Meyndert Wemp again
said in the presence of the aforesaid Company Remem-
ber this well ; for Joris Aersen shall yet make these words
good ; and said, further, that he will note down in his book
the words which Joris aforesaid has there stated. And
further he saith not. Thus in Alby this 1st April 1690
Annals, ii. 19
218 The City Records.
Simon Schermerhooren of the County of Albany aged
about 32 years being sworn in presence of Mr Johannis
Wendel Justus of the Peace declares, that he was last har-
vest in his house at Schanegtady where Joris Aersen came
and related to him Deponent how Robert Livingston had
told him that the Declaration issued against the Hollanders
by the late King James denounced the Prince of Orange
as the head of the Rebels ; and that he Joris had shewn
this declaration to Dom : Tassemaker at the time minister
of Schanhegtady, to learn if there were any such thing in it,
but Dom : Tassemaker could see nothing of the sort there ;
and as the Deponent afterwards heard that Joris tried to
alter the aforesaid Livingston's words, he asked Joris if he
now denied that he had spoken to Deponent against Living-
ston? Whereupon Joris answered, I deny nothing of what
I told you herein, for I stated the same to the Domine and
the whole consistory of Schanegtady, 'and I shall not deny
it even should I die the death, for Aces Corn 5 & his wife
were likewise present when Livingston spoke so of our
Prince, notwithstanding that Akes now says he is sick, and
his wife says she is only a woman. But, said Joris, when
they are put on their oaths they will speak the truth, and
should they not, yet will I do it. Item, Joris said, it vexes
me much that such slanders should be stated of our Prince
as he is my countryman, for I too am an Amsterdam boy.
And further saith not Thus in Albany, 1st April 1690.
Myndert Harmensen of the County of Albany, aged about
47 years, being sworn before Johannis Wendel Justus of the
Peace, declares that last harvest in his house, he asked Joris
Aersen if it were true that he heard Robert Livingston say
that our Prince of Orange was at the head of the Rebels?
Whereupon the aforesaid Joris Aerson answered No; I
did not hear Livingston say that ; but he said this, that the
Late King James hath in his Declaration against the Hol-
landers pronounced the Prince to be the head of the Rebels,
and further saith not. Thus in Albany this 1st April 1690.
Present J Bruyn, Joh Provoost, J J Bleeker
Capt Sander Grlen Justus of the Peace of the County of
Alby, aged about 43 years being sworn before Mr Jan Jansen
The City Records. 219
Bleeker, Justus of the Peace, declares that he heard Joris
Aersen say several times last summer or last harvest, that
it was too much reported of him Joris that he should have
spoken against Robert Livingston ; and that Joris also said
what I heard Livingston say of the Prince, Akes Cornelissen
and his wife were there then present when he read the
declaration ; they well know what he said 1 and further saith
not. Thus in Albany this 1st April 1690.
Present : J Bruyn, Johannis Provoost, Richard Pretty,
Joh Cuyler.
INVENTORY of some goods heretofore the Property of
the Father, or Jesuit Valiand of Canida. They are, on
information of Jan Gow and Willena Hollie, transferred to
us for his Majesty's interest, still remaining at present, &
until further order, at the house of Jan Gow aforesaid.
Thus in Alby this 1st April 1690,
Found in one old chest as follows. : 22 Bunches of
black Beads, also some loose d 2 doz : little looking glasses
for Indians, 12 little Patrenoster Chains (Rosaries), 1 priest's
white surplice ; also 2 @ 3 little shirts & c . 3 small bunches of
Copper finger-rings, 4 doz tinder boxes with steel & flints, 5
small papers of Needles, 2 papers of Awls 1 Compass 2 Belts
1 Red matting table cover (strootwisch t-afelkleecT) 1 do Chim-
ney little Valance (shoorsteen valletje) 3 parcels of garden
Stuff 1 old ditto 2 little paintings 5 burning glasses 1 hand-
some pair of womens hose 27 little books 11 paper pictures 3
blank books 1 pr shoes & 1 pr. slippers & nothing else of Im-
portance. Item found in a Small Basket: 1 little ben,
weight about 16 Ibs. 7 old axes 4 old adzes 2 planeing chisels
2 old chisels 1 little copper shears 1 small hatchet 1 small
square in a joiners bench 1 small anvil with a horn 1 hand
vice 1 large Auger 1 set of bits 2 files 3 old dishes 3 prs
of ice spurs, (creepers) 1 crooked nippers 1 old plane 3 Rings
1 The following was added here in the original but afterwards
expunged : " And deponent further saith that he repeatedly
heard several persons, in the course of conversation say that the
Prince is the head of the Rebels ; But, knows not from whom he
heard it."
220 The City Records.
for 2 small hammers 1 iron pick hook Item, some other
pieces of old Iron of little or no importance ; of no value.
Johannis Sand. Glen of the county of Albany about 42
years old being Sworn before Jan Wendel, Justus of the
Peace, declares that Rob ; Livingston came last harvest to
Schannegtade and enquired expressly for Joris Aersen, and
said he would give a quart or two to whomsoever would
bring Joris, as he was in the Bush, for he must speak with
him. Whereupon Deponent asked what had Joris done.
To which Livingston Answered, You know well what I
heard, since I heard Joris hath thus spoken against you
Deponent replied, I know it not And when he Deponent
afterwards saw Joris Aersen, he asked him, how the. matter
stood about which Livingston had come to him ? to which
Joris answered If the people to whom I spoke about Liv-
ingston have not changed my words, Livingston is in no dan-
ger neither have I. Otherwise I shall have difficulty ; And
further saith not. Thus in Albany this 2d April 1690.
Newyork Aprill 3d 1690.
To the Honorable the Governor & Gent in authority for his
Majesties Collony of Connecticutt.
HONBLE SIRS, Whereas Captn Jonathan Bull hath by
order from the authority of your collony, withdrawen the
forces sent for Albany contrary to the order of those com-
missionated for that post and the expectation both of the
Christians & Indian Confederates, to the great discourage-
ment of the remaining forces for his Majesties service in that
frontier, In some parts to supply that defect, It is desired
that Mr Samuel Edsall & Mr pembroke the bearer hereof,
may have license & free leave to beat the drum for raising
such volunteers as shall list themselves in his Majesties
service for Albany aforesaid, & transport the same into this
place, or directly thither without any lett hindrance or mo-
lestatione whatsoever, Morover desireing your aide &
assistance therein, which request of ours we hope not to faill
of, Subscribing your loving friends & neighbours &c.
The City Records. 221
A List of y e Souldjers for ye Expedition of Albany @ 25s.
p r Mont and their provision A. 1689 the 13 March
in Fort William, & are departed on 2d april with Capt
Jacob Milborne
Gerrit woutersen Serjeant two pisses of 8, Thomis Chambers
9s in inony & 12s Qd. in duffels Henry pyper 12s Qd in duffels
9s in mony Syrnon Williams of Ranak 1 pc of 8 & 9s in
mony & 10s in duffels Jean Marlett of Staten Island 1 lock
& 4s in mony &10s in duffels Jacob Paers of Rye 9s in mony
Richard Marten 9s in mony & 10s in duffels Richard Walters
of Rye 9s in mony & 10s in duffels Mattheuw Barends of
Westchester 1 pc of 8. & 9s in mony & 12s 6d. in duffels
Francis Mauriss of Staten Island 9s in mony Daniell
Magdaniell 9s in mony 1 pr of shoes Jonas Stevense of Rye
1 pr shoes & 1 pc of 8 & 9s in mony & 12s Qd in duffels
Hendrick Hendricksen Staten Island 9s. in mony Robert
Raley 9s in mony William Nobell 9s in mony Gerrit arentse
of N York 9s in mony & 10 in duffels Jean faefre Staten
Islaud 1 lock & 4s in mony & 10s in duffels Pieter Berry 9s
in mony 1 pr shoes George Sharp 9s in mony 1 pr shoes .
John floid of N York 9s in mony & 10s in duffels Philiph
Coome 1 pc of 8. & 9s in mony & 12s Qd in duffels John
Mannin 9s in mony John Poeu 9s in mony & 1 pr. shoes
Frans Thomasse of N. York 9s in mony John Clark 12s 6d.
in duffels 9s in mony Charles Twist of Suffolk Bounds 1 ps
of 8 & 9s in mony & 1 sword & 1 pc of 8, William Ingell 9s
in mony & 12s Qd. in duffels Johannes Langestraet of N York
1 pc of 8. Johannes fyne of N York 1 pc. of 8. John
Barsett of Rye 1 pr of shoes & 9s. in mony Charles Olivatt
12s Qd. in duffels 9s. in mony William Cornes 12s Qd. in
duffels 9s in mony John Rob from Staten Island 9s in mouy
William haukisson 1 pr shoes & 9s in mony Jean doulier
from Staten Island 9s in mony & 12s Qd in duffels & 2 pc.
of 8 for dyet & bringing over of people, Thomas hunt Sur-
geon 9s in mony & 1 pc of 8 for dyet Robert Folther 9s in .
mony gerrit Tappen 9s in mony & 9s for to bring a man
Thomas Knight 9s in mony Ebenesar Lyon 9s. in mony
Thomas Cromwell 9s in mony William Locker 9s. in mony
Patrick Magrigerie 9s in mony Thomas Johnson 9s in mony
Nathaniel Pietersen 9s in mony John Boyd 9s in mony Silley
222 The City. Records.
3s. in mony Robert Cam 9s in mony Jan Cornelise Johannes
Van Tilburgh hendrick martensen Edward ford from the
Man of War 9s in mony Jan Chalender 9s in mony
Expedicon to Albany 26 May. John Care 9s. in mony 28
ditto John Robinson 1 pr shoes .Richard Hill 1 pr ditto
each 3s for board 4 leaves & 16 Ibs pork
[From another List.] April 4. 1690
Peter Henkesson from Staten Island Jost Pow. Andrew
Smith 9s in mony 3s for dyett Willem Weaver 9s in mony 18s
for dyet John Prescott9sin mony Moses Manase Hard 9s in
monyCharles Masshell Henry low 9s in mony John Damelse
6s in mony Peter Parsone" 9s in mony each 2 yd duffels
Daniel Mellon 9s in mony Andrew Miller 9s in mony
Johannes Liekeris, Thomas Stevensen.
A list of the Souldjers y l went with Captain gabriell
Thompson; [Supposed to be from Piscataway, Maryland]
Capt. Gabriel Tomson, Lefteuant Rodgar Barton, Ensine
"Ebennazar Wakeman, Sargant Joseph Rumsey, Sargant
Thomis Sturgis, Thomas Hunt, Samuel uail, Mathu Randall
Abraim broun, Josoph boils, Sammuel Couch, danniel
Gou, John Ogdin, John Cable, Josiah Hunt, Samuel
Shered, Philip trauis, Loeling philips, Thomas Brodgat,
Robord Graims, Jorge Scot, James Camioll, John Owen,
Nathaniel furbush, Sargant Jonathan Horton, John forge-
son, Richard feloo, William Danford, John Knap, Richard
Cozens, Thomas Poor, Philip galpin, Philip prise, Joseph
Cable, John Green, Isaac Rumsey, Thomas Mathus.
A part of.a list of the People y l went up to Albany.
Jeronimes van Bommell, Hend'k Aernoutts, Coenradus
Vander Beck, Jan Keteltas, Isac Jansen Van Tilburgh,
Abram Matysse, Jacobus de Waim, Samuel Yardin, Harmen
Jansen, Denys A denoan, Jacobus Colve, Ephraim Carpenter,
Cornelis Loosie Boswyck, Gilliam gerlet Boswyck, Martin
Beeckman, Arien Santwoort, Jacobus vander Spiegel, Isaac
Franck, Daniel Robotham. Abram Uytersael, Alexander
Wilson, Gerret Burger, Johannes Provoost Junior, Isaac
Bos, John Thomas, Matthys de Hart, Charles fonteyn
The City Records. 223
Boswyck, Caste Laerse Junior, Jams Woodert, John Span-
iard, Johannes Hartman, Jurian Andiesse, Pieter Pangborne
Toinas foot, Mathys Loftus, James Weith, Lowrens hoist
Junior.
from Kings County, Peter Brouwer, Jacobus Monseu
Casaue, Rein Jansen, Theunis Dircksen, Jan Tysse, Jan
Wertze,
A 1690 19 8ber in Fort William.
A List of y e Souldjers y l are a going up to Albany Robert
Crafft, 8 shill. David Mandre Shotlander, 5s. or 8 s. Alex-
ander farle, 2s. 3d. Brian Rome, 2s. John Jackmonsse, 2s.
3d. George Casselltowne, 2. 3d. Samuel Kickham, in plas
of John Baker Discharged Toby Indian, 2s. 3d. Thomas
Barber, 8 shill, William Trip 2s. Nicholaes Porter, 2s. John
Wolleston, 5s. Roburte Pate, 2s. 3d prest, Isaakfran 2s 3d.
Copies of Divers other Orders Issued by Leislers Commis-
sioners at Albany April & May 1690.
By the Commissioners for Albany &ca.
WHEREAS diverse persons within this Citty and County
have presumed to retayle Rum unto the Souldiers Belonging
to ffort Orange, and the respective Captains commanding
such who came from New yorke and are since listed under
them, which hath proved very pernicious to the Kings In-
terests, the safety of this Citty and County, and the said
Souldiers welfare
These are in his Majesties name strictly to prohibite and
forbid any person whatsoeuer to draw for, sell, or retayle
any parcel! or quantity of rum upon any pretence whatsoeuer
under the penalty of {forfeiting Ten pounds Currant money
of this Province for doeing such trespasse, and the said Rum
to forfeited, One third to be for the Enforuier and the rest
to be improved for the support of this present Warr : Dated
in Albany Aprill the 12th and in y e 2d yeare of his Majesties
Reigne Annoq Dom. 1690.
WHEREAS his Majesties Revenue hath been much em-
paired by neglect of Due collecting the Grand Accizes &ca
224 The City Eecords.
These are in his Majesties name to command you Mr
Richard Pretty forthwith to Gauge all Vessells containing
Rum or strong liquors wheresoeuer you shall finde the same
within this Citty and County, and take Acco 1 thereof accord-
ing to an Act of Assembly and your Power substituting you
Collector &ca for the same ; All persons being hereby
required to conform thereunto as they will answer the con-
trary att their Perrills Given under o 1 hands y e date afore-
said :
To Mr Richard Pretty Sherriffe of the Citty and County
of Albany
A List of Persons Departed from Albany without any
leaue or giving notice Laurens (alais) Koehaerder, Jan Lau-
rens, Cornelis Laurens, N B Cornelis Viele, Surgeon to send
up Jan Jacobse, Evert Wendel Junior, Symon Schermer-
hoorne, for o r want of him is great
MYNDERT HARMENSE
ARRAHAM KIP
WHEREAS- there was an Order issued forth to Mr Robert
Livingston Receiver of the Kings Revenue for y e Citty
and County of Albany to deliuer unto Mr Richard Pretty
all such bookes and Acco 1s as were in his Custody (or that
haue been under his Charge or in his Possession) relating
any part of Kings Revenue as aforesaid &ca and the said
Livingston hath absconded without giving any order or
direction concerning the same by which his Majesties In-
terest is much abated.
These are to giue notice unto the s d Livingston or in
whose possession the s d bookes or Acco's are or do know
where they are placed, that they Forthwith do give notice
thereof unto Mr Richard Pretty &ca and in case any do
conceale, or connive at covering the same, that then such
shall be proceeded against as those who abett & contrive to
defraud his Majesties dues and dutyes Moreover it is here-
by ordered & declared that if the said Livingston doth not
appeare in person in Albany City afores' 1 or make returne
of the same here, at or before the 26th day of this Instant
Aprill according to the true intent and meaning of this pre-
cept : That then the Said Livingston shall be proceeded
The City Records. 225
against as one that hath defrauded his Majesty of his dues
and rights and broken the trast reposed in him, according
to the severity of Law in such Cases : Dated in Albany this
14th day of Aprill 1690, and in y e Second Yeare of his
Majesties Reigne :
Albany Aprill the 22th 1690
ORDERED that the Mill belonging to the Patroon Renselaer
be immediately fortified against any attack or invasion that
may be made by the Enemy, for which purpose it is recom-
mended to the care & direction of Mr Levinus Van Schayck
& Peter Schuyler Esqr for his Assistance, and what by
them shall be appointed for accomplishing the same, all
persons are hereby strictly required to be aiding therein
with their Persons or what else unto them is belonging for
that Service, as they well answer the contrary at their utmost
Perill Giuen under o r hands the day & yeare above written.
Albany Aprill the22d 1690
WHEREAS there is a necessity of breast works to be forth-
with made within the Stockadoes round this City, and that
it may be more effectually accomplished : Ordered that
Cap 1 Johannes Wendel, and Cap' Peter Van Wogolom doe
take upon them the care & direction thereof, and what by
them shall be found requisite for compleating the same all
persons are hereby required to assist therein with their Per-
sons and whatsoeuer is unto them belonging fit for that
service as they will answer the contrary at their utmost
Perill, Given under our hands the day and yeare above
written :
WHEREAS there was an Order issued forth bearing date
the 14th this Instant Aprill for M r Rob' Livingston to
render up the Bookes and Accounts relating the Kings
Revenue, and a certaine day set and time limited for the
same or his appearance in this City the which hath notbeene
observed to the great prejudice of his Majesties Interest &c a
These are in his Majesties name to will and require you
forthwith to Attach all such houses, lands, Goods, and
Chattells as doe belong or appertaine unto the s fl Livingston
for and in behalfe of our Sovereigne Lord King William &
to his Majesties use& behoofe whereof you are to make re-
226 The City Records.
turne according to this Precept Given under our hands in
Albany April 30th and in the second yeare of his Majesties
Reigne Annoq Dom 1690.
To M< Richard Pretty Sherriffe for the City and County
of Albany
WHEREAS diverse persons haue pretended right and title
to a parcell of meadow ground pasture belonging unto their
most excellent Majesties King William and Queene Mary
Supream Lord and Lady of this Province of N : Yorke lying
neare this City and have sold y e same for the use of the
Poore to emprove by letting it or entertaining sundry beasts
to grasse therin
These are in his Majesties King Williams name strictly to
forbid ail persons whatsoever to trespasse thereon by enter-
taining or driving into the s d Pasture any horses beasts, or
other Cattell whatsoeuer without Speciall Licence from us
Commissionated by his Majesties L' Governor of the Pro-
vince of New Yorke aforesaid as they will answer the contrary
at their utmost Perrill Given under our hands this 30th
day of Aprill in y e second yeare of his Majesties reigne
Annoq dom. 1690 And whosoeuer shall attempt to pull
or deface, or any wayes Scandalize any Order affixed by this
Authority shall be punished severely according to the nature
of the Offence with its circumstances
To all whom this doth or may Concerne
COMPLAINT being made unto us by the Gentlemen ap-
pointed for quartering of his Majesties Soldiers in this city
& County that M r William Teller hath obstinately refused to
entertaine a certaine Souldier by their Qrder sent for that
purpose and hath shut his door against the officer
Insomuch that they desire our Authority to compell him
the s* Teller to performe his duty
These are in his Majesties name to will and require you
forthwith to make a forcible entry into the s d Tellers house,
and quarter the said sould r accordingly, and take with you
such psons for Assistance as are under your Command, in so
doing this shall be your Sufficient Warrant Giuen under
our hands in Albany this first day of May in the second
yeare of his Majesties Reigne Annoq Dom. 1690
The City Records. 227
To Lieu 1 Twist Commanding a Cornp 6 of his Majesties
Souldiers in this City :
WHEREAS strict Orders haue beene made prohibiting all
psons within this City and County to sell Rum unto the
Indians, and the same haue not had due effect, neither
beene regarded as they ought :
These are in his Majesties name strictly to forbid all
psons whatsoeuer that they sell noe Rum or strong drinke,
directly or indirectly unto any sort of Indian, or Indians
of what Nacon soever, and that none do presume to deliuer,
or give any Rum or other strong Beere or drinke unto any
of them upon what pretence soever (unlesse such who haue
an especiall Licence from us so to doe) under the penalty
of forfeiting Twenty pounds Currant money of this Province
the One halfe to the Enformer the rest to be employed in
y e Publiq service of the immediate War and in case the
persons so offending shall not be capable of paying the said
ffine, then to receiue open Corporall punishment by whipping
at discretion and forthwith to be expelled this County :
Given under o r hands this 2 J day of May in the second
Yeare of his Majesties Reigne Annoq Dom 1690 :
And that no pson shall go without y^ Stockadoes of this
City to discourse or deale with any Indian whatsoeuer on
penalty of forfeiting ten pounds like Current money and
in Case they are not capable to pay the same, to be punished
as aboves :1 :
These are in his Majesties name to require you Mr Richard
Pretty Sheriffe of this City & County to distraine Twelve
Kettles now in the possession of Captain Johan Bleecker,
weighing the same & promise payment (for the Kings ser-
vice) in o r behalfe Griuen under o r hands May the llth
1690
THESE are in his Majesties name to will & require you
forthwith to make diligent search within this City for all
Kettles that may be fit for the Expedition against the French,
and wherever you finde the same (as Merchandize) to secure
for his Majesties Service that they may not be transported
from this Towne but forth comming when occasion requires,
as you shall haue farther order from us & for sodoing this
228 The City Records.
shall be your sufficient Warrant given under our hands in
Alb a May 12th & in y e 2d year of his Majesties Reigne
Annoq dona 1690 :
These are in his Majesties name to order, & appoint you
Mr Dirck Wessells forthwith to provide Indian Shoes,
Canoes and Axes which are immediately requisite for his
Majesties Service against y e ffrench and their adhering
Enemyes commanding all persons proper to assist you herein
& for sodoing this shall be your sufficient Warrant given
under our hands in Alb a May 12th & in y e 2d yeare of his
Majesties Reigne Annoq dom 1690
These are in his Majesties name to prohibite and forbid
all manner of persons within this City and County that they'
dare not presume to receuie into any howse, or Cellar, any
Wine, rum or Strong Liquors except it be first gaged by
the Grager Adrian Appel then to be committed to the Porters,
for howsing the same, and that no Beere be carried from
any Brewer, but by the said Porters appointed by us and
that they giue a true account of the same to the Collector
of his Majesties Revenue for this City and County, euery
weeke, and that no strong beere be brought to any Retailer
or Tapper with out a ticket from y e said Collector upon y e
penalty ffiue Pounds for euery offence committed by each
Porter ' And that no Carman shall ride Wine, Rum, or other
Strong Liquors from -any Vessell house, or Cellar without
handling by said Porters All vessels being hereby ordered
to land & load at y e Landing place behinde y e Court house
to be rid through the Grate by said Court house & not other-
wayes upon penalty of paying ffive Pounds for every Carman
that shall soe offend Given under our hands May the 12th
1690 & in y e Second Yeare of his Majesties Reigne.
WHEREAS diverse persons dayly wast powder which is of
such necessary use for defence of this City and County of
Albany, and although many haue beene advertised thereof
yet psist in the same : These are in his Majesties name to
prohibite all persons whatsoeuer with in the said City and
County to burne any powder unlesse to kill provision, or
for his Majesties service & benefit of the places aforesaid,
The City Records. 229
upon paine of paying for every shot, or discharging of Gun
or Pistoll (contrary to y e intent of this order) six shillings
Currant money of this province of New Yorke, or Corporall
punishment at discretion : Dated in Albany May 12th 1690 :
These are in his Majesties name to Order & appoint you
Mrs ClaasRipse, en Jacob Meesen diligently to visit, and
narrowly inspect the Stockadoes & platformes round & about
this City, (with such officers of the Militia as y e Towne
Major shall appoint) and that what shall be found requisite
& necessary to be done for y e better fortifying thereof, you
doe by yourselves or such as you shall employ forthwith
performe & accomplish : Giuen under our hands May 12 th
& in the second yeare of his Majesties Reigne Annoq Dom
1690:
These are in his Majesties name to order you to examine
all houses within this City & County and take an exact Ac-
count of what powder is in eur'y psons possession therein, of
which all the Inhabitants thereof are hereby ordered &
Commanded that they do giue you a true account of what
quantity they haue, & if they or any of them shall conceale
any part thereof to be proceeded against as contemnors of
his Majesties Authority, and disaffected to the peace and
Security of this City and County aforesaid. Dated in
Albany the 12th day of May and in the second yeare of his
Majesties Reigne Annoq Dom. 1690 :
FORASMUCH as it is of high Concern to preserue his Ma-
jesties City and County of Albany from the rage and mis-
chief of the French & their adherents, who to our sad
experience haue made divers attempts upon the skirts of the
same : Wee doe therefore Order, and hereby it is ordered
that the Posts of Schanechtede, Connestigioene, and the
halfe Moone be forthwith supplyed with proper numbers of
men to defend the same, and that none do presume to post
any other forces saving at the three places aforesaid at their
utmost perill Given under our hands this 12th day of May
in the second yeare of his Majesties Raigne Annoq Dom
1690:
To all whome this doth or may concerne
Annals, ii. 20
230 The City Records.
WHEREAS it is judged necessary for to defend Schanech-
tede and to that purpose it is likewise found requisite tliat a
Fort shall be erected to defend y e Inhabitants and oppugne
the Enemy if should attack the same.
These are in his Majesties name to require you Captain
Sander Glen & all Officers & Inhabitants belonging to y e
said Schanechtede and adjacent Parts, with the Souldiers
therein Garrison, to build a substantial Fort of due mag-
nitude and strength upon that part or parcell of ground
(called by the name of Cleyn Isaacs) and that all are
aiding and assisting therein according to their abilitye to
dispatch and compleat the same, as they will answer the
contrary at their utmost perills Given under our hands
this 13th day of May in the second yeare of his Majesties
Reigne Annoq Doni 1690 :
Albany the 30th May 1690
You are from hence to set forth immediately to Sarrach-
toge and so forward to the Carrying Place where you are to
make your diligent inspection if any Tracks of people are
made, or other notices can be taken either of the French
or their Indians, and between the s d draegh Plaets &.Sar-
raghtoge you are to keep constant passing and repassing
for the space of 8 days, and if you meet with any remark-
able thing that is worth our notice, forthwith to dispatch an
Indian Messenger, except the ffrench Troops should appeare
then to withdraw all your men & obserue so long as with
safety you can how they march & what numbers of them
may be guest and all psons with you are hereby strictly re-
quired to obey your Commands as they will answer the
Contrary at their utmost Perill Given under our hands the
date abovesaid.
To Ensigue Symon Van Nes.
1689 The Heer Luyt Gouvernor Jacob Leysler debet
Aug 9. For 15 green planks for Fort William 00.11.
16ff i barrel of Strong Albany Beer 00.15 :
Feb. 25. 8 skepel white peas for fort William. 1. :
Mch 1. 2 ps bl. duffels long 50 : 46 both 96|
yard a 5 st. per yard 24. 2 : 6
169026. 501bsleada4i 00.18:9
Carried forward,. . . 27. 7: 3
The City Records. 231
Brought forward, 27. 7 : 3
1 Red Cloth Cloak trimmed with gold
Lace & its accompaniments for an
Indian 3. 5 :
Item one hundred ps of eight in Spe-
tie loaned for 3 days, 30. :
Total '...*... 60.12: 6
N York the 2d May 1690 p* Anna Cuyler Widow
of deed HEND CUYLEB.
N Torke Primo May 1690
At a meeting of y e Commissioners of y e Province of New
York & y c Collonies of y e Massachusetts, Plymouth &
Connecticut.
It is Concluded as their unanimous Result that In y<*
Psent Expedicon for the Strengthning of Albany y e Pur-
suing & by y e help of Almighty God Subduing y e french &
Indian Ennemies Continrruing in hostility agst their Ma-
jesties that each of y e Collonies aforesaid shall Provide &
furnish y e undermenc6ned proporcons of Souldiers with
Answerable Provisions at their own Charges to Be sent
with all Speed :
. viz 1
By New Yorke four hundred 400
By Massachusetts Colony one hundred & Sixty... 160
By Conecticut Colony one hundred & thirty five.. 135
By Plymouth Colony sixty 60
By Maryland by Promise one hundred 100
In all Eight hundred fifety five 855
To Major Jacob Milborne
GREETING By virtue of y e Authority derived unto mee I
do hereby constitute & apoint You to be Major of all y e
forces now raised or to be raised for y e expedicon of Albany
out of this Province & y e New England Collonies & Mary-
land according to y e unanimous result made with said Col-
lonies agst y e french at Canada you are therefore Carefully
232 The City Becords.
& diligently to discharge y e duty of a major by Exercising
y e Same In Armes & Keeping them In good order & dis-
cipline both Officers & Souldiers observing Strictly all y e
Articles In ye Said Result Expressed hereby willing & Com-
manding them to observe & follow Such orders & direcc6ns
as you Shall .from time to time receive from mee or any
apointed by my Selfe & Councell Ac6rding to y e Rules &
discipline of war Pursuant to y e trust reposed In You & to
Execute all acts of hostility against y e french King his
Subiects & their adherents & this Commission to Continue
during my will & Pleasure only : GIVEN &c. this 25th of
May 1690.
JACOB LEISLER.
Leisler to Tiis Agents at Albany.
Fort William may 19th 1690
GENTLEMEN Yours of y e 8th Instant I received y e 10th
Instant expecting according your Promise y e next day y e
Particulars of y e whole Proposition with y e Indians after
which we Lang with y e greatest Impatiens Imaginable I
have sent Imediately to major Gold and your governor desyr-
ing them to desist to address there Letters so unadvisedly
and also that I had newes of Sutch a Satisfactory answer to
what was proposed to y e five n aeons who were to assist us
with 1800 of there Indians for Canada and that I expected
to morrow the particulars & y e time appointed for y e march
which also I should speedily advice & so resolved to send
Captain Blagg to boston with y e same to Spur them for dis-
patch Mr Pembroke is departed before your advise to Mary-
land & Virginia but have sent y e aforesaid advice after him.
Since I received your Letter of y e 8th instant is arrived here
severall sloops from albany but none of yours which puts
us in the greatest consternacon as ever we where y e more
because our adversaries have not only in y e towne but all
y e Country over to our great grief spread abroad that no-
thing was done but drinking and that thereby wheny* Indians
where there was caused Sutch disturbance that y e widdou
Scuyler beat Captain Milborne & that you where all three
forced to fly out of y e towne & where gone to Esopes &
Peter Scuyler was in y e fort with great many Incredible
The City Records. 233
reflecions which daily are reproached to our People to our
great grief and Sorrow we Know that it is there daily
practise to throw Scandal and Lyes upon us to render us
odious they have formerly endeavored to posses y e whole
Countrey I was become a dronkerd we doubt not but when
we shall have Letters from you we shall be put of y e dark
we are now In we durst not be inquisitive after newes
therefore we have sent to Esopes, where we expected you
would go so Soone y e business was settled at Albany & you
could Spare time hoope you are gone again to Albany
where this may find you all in good health & have given
order if you were departed to Sent it with one a purpose
that you might know the malice of our adversaries & to take
away all what may give umbrage to refleckt so wickedly as
they do heer now It is nor kan not be believed by us but
Impossible to stop there Lying mouths I desire a speedy
answer of all transacions when y e generall march Is In-
tended who jou propose for major also forme of commission
for him what for Instrucions is need to be given what
People Is like to be had at Sopes & albany to compleat our
nomber of four hundred what quantity of People of ours are
dead with there names & pray send me downe again all y
Letters with y e answers I haue send you by Mr. Cuyler & be-
fore the proclamation of war our three vessells will depart
y e of this instant we expect daily newes from Maryland
which we shall send so soone we have it y e Sarge and
Linning & Bread you have desired shall be sent by y e first I
have secured in the fort 180 barrells of Pork which was all
what was in y e towne we have an Imbargo Mr Edsall Is
gone to Suffolk County to Settle all things they having sub-
mitted this is all for y e present. I salute you & Kemaine
Major Milborn and the rest of the Gentlemen at Schanhech-
tade.
This afternoon Three of our folks arrived here from Canida
who escaped from there ; namely, Klyn Isack, the Son of
Ryck Claessen, and one of Capt Boll's Soldiers. ^ They re-
port having been 24 days on the road, and the Soldier twenty
six days from Monrojael.
234 The City Records.
They say that Monrojael is not very strongly garrisoned,
though they fear nothing and think little of us. Neverthe-
less the Soldier or Englishman would very gladly attack it
and is inclined to accompany our people and gives us great
encouragement, that the opportunity is favorable.
The French abstain from talking before prisoners & say
they have heard little or nothing from the Port rojael Ex-
pedition or of the Indian fight on the Lake
We further refer to the Enclosed to Arnout Cornelissen.
We think it right if your Honors consider that Arnout
Cornelissen is gone, that it should be sent after him by an
Indian in order to communicate this news to the Indians.
Wherewith, after salutation we remain,
Your friends
JOHANNES PROVOOST
J. BRUYN
This 9 July A 1690. In Albany.
Laurents or Jannetie the Indian with his party urge us
very hard not to omit reminding the Gentlemen again to
admonish the Indians at Schanhechtade not to let the French
prisoners go out with them to fight, for we have an example
now in our own people who have run away from Canada,
and that they should be disarmed.
JOURNAL of Captain John Schuyler who voluntarily em-
barked at Wood Creek on the 13th August 1690, with
29 Christians and 120 Savages, whom he recruited at
Wood Creek as volunteers under his command to go to
Canida to fight the enemy.
Nearly about the swamps I met Captain Sander Glen on
his way back to Albany, because the greatest number returned.
The aforesaid Sanders had in his company 28 whites and
5 savages and came from Tsinondrosie where Captain Sanders
had been waiting 8 days for the whole corps. From
these Captain John Schuyler enlisted 13 whites and 5
savages to continue with Captain Schuyler the voyage to
Canida and their to fight their mutual enemy. When the
rest of the company had left us, and we had advanced nearly
two hours on our voyage, we found 2 canoes which had been
sent out to spy and which had shot an elk. After we had
The City Records. 235
done eating and had supplied bur canoes we proceeded on
our way as far as Canaghsionie.
The 15th day of August we came one Dutch mile above
Crown Point.
The 16th ditto we had advanced as far as Kanondoro,
and resolved at that place to travel by night and have that
night gone onward to near the spot where Ambropio (?)
Corlaer is drowned, and there one of our savages fell in con-
vulsions, charmed and conjured by the devil, and said that
a great battle had taken place at Quebeck (Cubeck) and
that much heavy cannon must have been fired there, and that
one hundred canoes with savages had come down the river
from Cadaraqui. (Coederoqua.) And about one hour after
sunrise we have gone to Oghraro, where I placed the first
guard and nominated Barent Wemp as officer of the guard.
Tke 17 ditto in the evening we proceeded to Ogharonde. A
Tsenondoga savage of our Company died there ; he died of
sickness; the Oneida savages gave a wampum belt for the
atonement of the dead. That day Capt. Schuyler with his
subaltern officers and the Chief of the savages resolved where
they should make their attack upon the enemy, and they
determined by the majorities to fall upon fort La Prairie
(Lapplarie) ; whereupon the Mohawks gave a wampum belt
to the Schaghkock savages as a token to stand by each other
faithfully, and what they do call " onroghquasa In a Goera."
The Oneida savages did the same to the Mohawk savages by
some handful of wampum, and in this manner this resolu-
tion was decidedly agreed upon and confirmed with shaking
of hands (kinsekaje) as well by the Christians as by the sa-
vages and, moreover, approved by the savages as to whom
should be their chiefs or headmen, Carristasio and Tehoe-
sequatho and Juriaen the ferocious.
The 18 ditto, set out in the evening, and about midnight
we saw a light fall down from out the sky to the South, of
which we'all were perplexed what token this might be.
The 19 ditto on account of the strong wind we laid still
because we could not proceed and we were laying about 3
miles above the Sandbank of Chambly.-
The 20 ditto we sent out spies along the west side of the
river Chambly and found there a drawing of a party from
236 The City Records,
Canada and 14 palisades to which they had bound their
prisoners whom they had fetched from New England.
The 21 ditto we proceeded to about .one mile below the
above mentioned sandbank of Chambly, when we again sent
out spies, who discovered some places where french and savage
spies had been keeping double night watch, and that the
same had embarked for Chambly. Then, after having first
placed our canoes and provisions in safety,
The 22 ditto we pursued our journey by land and travelled
that day close under La Prairie the road being very diffi-
cult on account of the softness of the clay, over which we
had to travel, so that two of our Christians returned to our
canoes. Coming through the clay we heard much firing of
musketry, of which we were astonished what it might be.
The 23 ditto in the morning I sent spies towards the fort
to see how it was ; returning said all the folks were leaving
the fort of La Prairie to cut corn. Then we resolved in
what manner we should hinder them to obtain the fort again,
and agreed to do so by intercepting them on their way to
the fort, but by the eagerness of the young savages such
was prevented, because Christians as well as savages fell on
with a war cry which displeased the officer that they fell on
without orders having been given, but they made 19 pri-
soners and 6 scalps, among which were 4 womenfolk. The
first prisoner was examined, asking him, what the firing of
yesterday at La Prairie signified ? said, the Governor is
yesterday gone away with 800 men and the people discharged
their muskets at their departure because their scouts had
not heard from us. Then we fell upon their cattle, we
pierced and shot to death nearly 150 head of oxen and cows,
and then we set fire to all their houses and barns which we
found in the fields, their hay, and everything else which
would take fire. Then we Christians resolved to fall upon
the fort, but could not move the savages io give their con-
sent to help us to attack the fort ; the fort fired alarms when
Montroyal and Chamble answered, so that we resolved to
depart with the prisoners to Albany. A savage of ours was
stabbed to death, whom we burned in a barn, and we went
that day 7 Dutch miles 1 on our way back. Then the savages
J A Dutch mile is equal to about three English miles. Sewett's
Dictionary.
The City Records. 237
killed 2 french prisoners because they could not travel on
account of their wounds. A little while after this we sat
down to eat and thanked the Governor of Canada for his
salute of heavy cannon during our meal they fired from
the morning till 2 o'clock in the afternoon from all three of
the forts That day we travelled to the river Chambly
where our canoes were laying.
The 24 ditto we went as far as fort Lamotte.
The 25 ditto we reached the Sand point, where we shot 2
elks.
The 26 ditto we came to the little stone fort, and from
there sent a canoe with men to Albany to bring the news of
what had happened to us.
The 27 ditto we proceeded to Canaghsione and there shot
9 elks.
The 28 ditto we reached Wood Creek.
The 29 ditto we have travelled to the little Rapid above
Saraghtoge.
The 30 ditto of August we have arrived at Albany, under
the command of Captain John Schuyler.
A true copy from the translation in the collection of Manuscripts
of the New Jersey Historical Society, at Newark.
S. ALOPSEN,
Member H. Soc. N. J.
List of Albany Commissions by Lieutenant Governor
Leisler :
December 1689, Justice & Dedimus Potest., Roelof
Swartwout. Dec. 28, 1689, Collector & Sheriff, Richard
Pretty; Clerk, Johannes Cuyler. Oct. 8, 1690, Mayor,
Johannes Wendel ; Justices, Laurens Van Aelen, Reyer
Jacobse Schermerhoorn, Barent Pietersen Koeymans, John
Thyssen, Claes Van Potter, Myndert Harmensen, Harnien
Gansevoort, Jacob Staas, John Naill, Jan Finagel, Jan Janse
Bleeker ; Captains, Barent Wemp,' Pieter Wogolem, Hans
Hendricx ; Lieutenant, Isaac Cornells Switz ; Ensigne, Douwe
Aukus; Towne Major, James Campbell. Nov. 11, 1690,
Captain, John Lansing ; Lieutenant, Reynier Barents ; En-
sign, Abraham Coyler.
238 The City Records.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., July 14, 1691.
Gerrit van Ness pi Jochim Staets, Barent Lewys clefts.
The pi demands of the defts y e summe of 3 lls, for 71
inch and half thick plancks delivered to them the 8th of
december 1690, as appears by there note under there hands.
The defts confesse to have received said quantity of planks,
but that they were for the use of there majesys fort and
therefore no ways obliged to pay the same. Umphrey Se-
ward and John Carter being sworn in court, declares that
Grerrit Van Ness delivered the said planks in the fort, and
that they were used in said fort, y l is to say part for the
gallerys, the remainder was pyled under the gallerys till
y e mayor P r Schuyler rec d the fort, and then the remainder
was used for the galleryes y l goes to the house off office and
for the prisone house and for the floor of the garde room.
The business deferred till y e next court day.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., July 14, 1691.
Johannes Cuyler atturney for Mrs Anna Cuyler pi Arnout
Cornelise defts.
The pi demands of y e def 1 by bill under his hand and
seal, dated the first of Aprill 1687, y e somme of two hundred,
ninety and seven gilders, seventeen and $ styvers in bevers,
to be paid in bevers, which is at 6gl. per Ib. is nine and
forty Ib. and | with cost. Damage 50sh.
The plf* confesses y e deb 1 and that it is his hand and seal,
neither is he unwilling to pay the same if he were able, and
with all prays y* the court would take the case in considera-
tion, since the goods were carried to Ottowawa, for to bring
those farr nations -here to advance the trade of this place
part whereof was given to the Sinnekes toward the redemp-
tion of 9 Ottawawa Indians, and since they were taken by
the French and robbed of all they had and made slaves in a
manner, desyred time to pay the same.
The court have taken the case into consideration and
order the deft 1 Arnout Cornelise, to pay to y e pi the somme
of two hundred ninety seven gilders, seventeen and stuy-
vers in bevers according to obligation, and that in merchan-
The City Records. 239
dable bevers of li Ib. Duytch weight for 8gl. with costs of
sute.
The Indian boy of Pr. Van Wuggelum was examined
concerning his having been taken at Klinkenbergh by
two French and three Indians.
Att a Court of Mayor &c., August 25, 1691.
The assistants of the citty of Albany, PL, Johannes Wen-
del def 1 in an action for tradeing with y e Indians atOnnon-
dgo, by Arnout Cornelise viele, his corrspondent contrarie
to Law and the charter of priviledges of this citty. The
def 1 pleads not guilty. The p l produces two wittnesses,
swore before Gerrit Ryerse, justice of the peace, as there
testimony will make appear, and yt he did send severall
Indian goods to Armout to trade with, as letter to Mr.
Wendell doth prove, and return of peltry for pay 1 of the said
goods.
The jury brings in there verdict and find y e defen 1 guilty,
y e court approves of y e verdict and orderd the defd 1 to pay
a fine of eight pounds, courant money of y e province, cum
expences.
Sept. 22, 1691. A petion of Jo. van Loon being read,
setting forth how that & chest with sundrey goods, a bas-
ket of yron worke, and a bell being left with him by Mr.
Harrison the priest, which goods were taken away by force
and arms by John Cornelise Vyselaer in y e time of y e late
revolution, prays that he may be ordered to restour me y e
goods according to the inventory taken by John Cuyler, or
else to pay all y e damages that y e said van Loon may be
freed about it.
Jan Cornelise Vysselaer confesses y 1 he took the chest,
basket and bell, out of John van Loons house, where Will.
Hollie livd, and that he did it by order of Jan Bruyn, Jo-
hannes Provost and Eich d Pretty, sheriffe, which sheriffe
putt y e broad arrow upon it.
The court orders that Jan van Loon shall produce y e in-
ventory next court day, in order y l y e bussiness may be
further inspected into.
240 The City Records.
Albany, Oct. 14th, 1691.
This day being appointed by the charter of this citty for
y e aldermen of the respective wards to bring there returns of
the aldermen chosen, for the ensuing year, are as follows :
Livinus van Skaik, Evert Banker, for y e first ward.
Jan Janse Bleeker, Jan Lansing, second ward.
G-errit Reyerse, Joh. Abeel, the 3d ward.
Assistants, Reynier Barents, Hend. van Dyk, 1st ward.
Joh. Cuyler, Jan. Yinnagell, 2d ward.
Wessell Ten Brook, Bennony van Corlaer, 3d ward.
Jacob Staets, Joh. de Wandelaer, assessors ; Joh. Becker,
constable, 1st ward.
Joh. Beekman, Will. Claese, assessors; Gysb. Marceles,
constable, 2d ward.
Gerrit v. Ness, Alb 1 Ryckman, assessors ; Hend. Hanse,
constable, 3d ward.
Mayors Court &c., Nov. 3d 1691.
Johannes Bratt p 1 Jurian van Hoese def 1 . The pi de-
clares y l ye def 1 accused him . for stealing canoe load of
water millions. The deft denyes it, where with y e p l was
satisfyed and so y e bussinesse was determined.
John Gilbert, Wessell Ten Brook, bakers, prays y l the
prise of wheat bread may be rasedj since corn is dearer.
The court will consider of it.
The representatives for this city, informing y e common
council y 1 y e assembly made an act for the raising of one
hundred and fifty men for y e security of y e fronteers of there
majestys province in this country, who may be expected
here speedily; it is concluded to quarter them in this city
and at y e Greenbush, and y e Island, and at the mill, and
these following persons are appointed to quarter said men, to
make there tickets ready for the constable against they
come : Reynier Barents, Joh. Cuyler, Wessell Ten Brook,
Hend. van Dyk, Jan Vinnagell, Bennony van Corlaer.
But in regarde y e inhabitants are so extreamely impover-
ished by this war, in so much yt they are not able to pro-
vide and furnish y e souldiers with bedding for the winter;
it is thought convenient to write to y e honorable commander
The City Records. 241
in cheiff and councill to desyre them to send up bedding
with there men, and if they should not send duffells or
blanketts and for y l purpose to request that so much
money of y e proportion of this city and county tax towards
y e 2000 act may be appropriated for that use, to buy bed-
ding for ye souldiers both of the fuzilleers in toune already,
and them that are dayly expected.
Nov. 17, 1691. Ordered that the six assistants doe, ac-
cording to the resolution of -the common councill y e 3d
instant quarter the souldiers in towne in their respective
wards, and prepare billets for them y l are expected dayly.
The assistants propose y l order may be taken concerning
y e burger excyse in the time of the revolution, that it may
be collected for the cittyes use. Ordered that this day fort-
night a common council be convened in the afternoon at 2
o'clock to consult about this affair.
December 1, 1691. Robert Livingston vs. Jan Bronk.
The plaintiff demands 180 Ib. speck, 1 and 418gl. 14st zewant,
to be paid in wheat, at 5 skepels per beaver. The def 1 says
y l seven and forty Ib. bakon was delivered on ye sade ace 1 ,
and ought to be deducted off y e 188 Ib porke but referrs
y c businesse to the bench, and also of y e wheat. The court
graunts judgement against y e def 1 to pay 188 Ib. porke and
y e /418 : 15 zw l . in money or wheat, y l is tenn pound nine
shillings & 4d, with cost, and the sheriffe to take y e def 1
in custody till he hath given sufficient security to pay y e
same in three weeks time.
Feb. 9, 169i The will of Capt. Joh. Wendell proved,
by the oaths of Barent Lewis and Gerrit Lansing, and "ye
goedvrouw Elizabeth nominated sole executrix."
Robert Livingston vs. Elizabeth van Tricht. The plff.
by his declaration demands, of y e def 1 y e somme of 13 19s.
for excyse of 3 hhds of rom brought up in July 1689, in
Dirk Bensing's boate, and by her received and sellered.
The def 1 confesses y l y e received y e 3 hhds of rom in dispute
1 Pork.
Annals, ii. 21
242 ' The City Records.
into her house and seller, but that shee disposed only of one
hh d of 90 gallons, which she will pay, but y 1 y e other 2 hh d
rom belonged to her suster, Lena Rombouts, who hes pro-
mised payment for y e same and given it under her hand,
which y e plaintive hes to show, and moreover that her
suster had sent the pi. a note whereby she promised to pay
the money in the spring.
Whereas there is 3hhds rom landed at Albany out of the
boate Unity, Dirk Bensing master, the 3d July, 1689,
sellered at widow Van Tricht's house, and being a dispute
about the guaging of it, Mr. Jacob Teller owned the rom,
the contents of it 90, 90, 91, is gallons 271 and I doe de-
clare I know not better but he undertook the payment of it.
[Was signed] WM. SHAW, gager.
The case being given in charge of the following jury, viz 1 '
Reynier Barentse, Hend. Van Dyk, Gerrit Lansing, Evert
Wendell, Joh. Bleeker, Isaak Verplank, Jean Rosie,
Luykas Gerritse, Pr. l)avidtse Schuyler, Abraham Staets,
Bay. Croesveld, William Claese Groosbeek. They the said
jury after some consideration thereof, came to the barr, de-
livered in there verdict, and doe find for the plaintiff. It
is therefore considered by y e court that the def 1 pay to the
pi. y e somme of four pounds tenn shillings in currant money
of this province for y e excyse of one hh d of 90 gall, accord,
to confession and for y e 2 hh ds y e pi. may take his remedy
against the widow Rombouts. remaining nine pounds nine
shill. for y e 2hh d who ouns y e same by her hand writing.
Att a Mayor's Court, June 28, 1692.
Joh. Cuyler, atturney of Isaak & Volkquijn Kip &
Toussain Domis merchts. at Amsterdam, vs. Wm. Teller. De-
mands by his declaration y e somme of i hundred and eighty-
two gilders five stuyers bever, as. also an yron ballance with
2 skales and about 300 Ibs. yron weights delivered him by
Jacob Sanders factor of y e said gent : The def 1 desyres time
for to answer because his books and papers and other evi-
dences are at N. Yorke. The court graunt y e def 1 time till
y e next court day to answer ; except he produce som mate-
riall reason why he should not be ready.
The City Eecords. 243
Job. Rooseboom vs. Gerrit Luykasse. The PI. complains
against Gerr' Luykasse in an action of defamation y l he y e
Def' did say to y e PI. you, meaning the said Joh. are a
rogue and dogg, and diverse other base scandalous and ma-
litious words against y a s 1 Joh. did expresse and him did
threaten to strike, challingeing him y e said Joh. to fight,
whereby he y- s' 1 Joh. hath lost his good name, credit and
reputation, to y dammage of him y e s 1 Johannes 150<.
The PI. [def.] in his oune proper person comes into the court
and defends and says he is not guilty in manner and form
as y e PI. declares against him, and thereof puts himself upon
y e countrey. Jury Hend. Van Dyk, Eghb. Teunise,
Bennony Van Corlear, Johannes Beekman, Johannes Apeell,
Hend. Bries, Mynd 1 Harmense, David Schuyler, Hans.
Hendrikse, Hend. Hanse, Joh. Van Sante, Jonas Volkertse.
The jury bring in there verdict and fynde the Def. not
guilty. It is therefore considered J>y y c court y f the Deft
be freed of y e PL sute, and y e PI. orde'rd to pay costs of court.
Bata Cloet wife ofJ. Cloet prisoner at Canida PI. vs.
Sander Glen & Barent Wemp executors of Sweer Teunise
Def 1 . The PI. demands nine pounds six shillings and six-
pence for y e remaining pay 1 of a negroe called Jacob, sold
by old Joh. Cloet to Sweer Teunise, and produces y e book
of s d John Cloet sen. kept by her husband John Cloet Jun.
[The defts. ask time.]
Att a Common Councill &c., July 23, 1692.
The assistants of this citty doe complain agains Johannes,
Bratt, Pietre Villeroy, David Keteleyn, Willem Hendrikse
Hend. Janse and Daniel Bratt, for trading with the five
nations, against the charter priviledges of this city, pray yt
they may be apprehended and presented according to law.
The cous'l will consider of it till to morrow morning at 7
o'clock ; in y e meantime order Mr. Livingston to inquire
where they are, and what there intentions is for such a
breach.
July 24, 1692. The common councill being again con-
veined to consider about these persons tradeing with y e five
nations, contrary to law, mentioned in the record yesterday :
and doe order y* Johannes Bratt, David Ketelheyn, Pr
244 The City Records.
Villeroy, WillemHendrikse, Hend. Janse and Daniel Bratt,
doe each pay y e somme of five pounds fine. Mr. Wessels
and Mr. Grow who are to account with the city treasurer
for y same in y e space of 3 days time, and gave a bond of
fifty pounds each, not to doe the like offence in y e space of a
year and a day; and they that are in the county doe not
comply with this order, then 'a warrant to issue out to appre-
hend y m and to try them before any court of record in this
county or province, according as y e law directs.
And in regard y 1 Johannes -Claese and Johannes Luykasse
are also gone to trade to the 5 nations, against y e Laws of
this place after they were fetched bak in contempt of the
authority; they are also to pay each seven pounds tenn
shillings courant money upon there arrival, and give bonde
of 50 a p s not to trade soe in a year and a day, and they
not complying with this favorable order, then to be prose-
cuted according to law.
July 27, 1692. The common council are convened upon
y e request of Johannes Barentse Bradtand David Ketelheijn
and there friends in behalfe of themselfs and the other 4 who
have transgressed y e court and orders of this citty in trade-
ing with y e 5 nations ; contrare to law, who were ordered to
pay a fine y e 24th instant of five pounds a piece, and declare
that they have lost by there journey; and moreover that
they were willing to give all y l they had in y e world for
liberty to depart from this place to' gett a livelihood, since
there parents is not able longer to maintain them. Where-
upon the common council have considered there request,
and order yt they severally shall give bonds of fifty pounds
not to doe the like offence in a year and a day, and have
remitted y e fine of five pounds a piece, to forty shillings a
piece for y e six, to witt. Johannes Bradt, David Ketelheyn,
Pr. Villeroy, William Hendricks, Hendrick Janse and
Daniel Bradt, which fine of forty shillings a piece is to be
paid in eight days by y e said Job. Bradt and David Ketel-
heyn and by y e other foure as soon as they return ; that s d
persones to pay for this charges 3s a piece, and a piece of
eight for the bonds.
July, 1692. The justices have concluded to prohibite y e
selling of strong drink, good bier and syder to the Indians
for y e space of a month, upon penalty of being secured and
The City Records. 245
imprisoned till such time y commander in cheiff and coun-
cil! be acquainted with it and y n to incurr such penalty as
y e council! shall think fitt.
Oct. 14th, 1692. This day being appointed by the char-
ter of this citty for the aldermen of the respective wards to
bring there returns of the aldermen chosen for the ensuing
year.
Livinus van Schaik, Evert Banker (aldermen) ; Reynier
Barentse, Hend. van Dyk (assistants) ; Jan Becker, Doude
Johannes Dwanelaer (assessors) } and Pr. Verbrugh (con-
stable), first warde.
Jan Janse Bleeker, Jan Lansing (aldermen) ; Joh. Roose-
bom, Abraham Cuyler (assistants) ; Joh. Appell, Joh. Beek-
man (assessors) ; Hend. Bries (constable), second warde.
Joh. Abeell, Alb 1 Ryckman, (aldermen); Wessell Ten
Brook, Eghb 1 Teunise, (assistants) ; Garr 1 Reyers, Jacob
Staets, (assessors); Gerr* Vanness, (constable), sworne. High
constable Hend. Hanse, sworne. John Becker, (treasurer),
sworne.
By the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Albany.
Whereas divers persons, inhabitants of this city doe pre-
sume to sell drink by retaile without lycence, to y e great
dammage of y e revenue of this place and the increase of
debauchery and wickedness ; we doe therefore hereby pub-
lish and declare y* no person inhabiting or sojourning with-
in y e citty and county of Albany, doe directly or indirectly
sell any drink to Indian or Christian, without a lycence,
under y e hand of y e mayor and y e seal of this citty, upon
y e penalty of five pounds, to be applyed one half to the citty
and one half to the informer, which said lycences for the
future always are to terminate yearly upon y e 14th day of
Oct. And whereas the bakers doe bake and sell the wheat
bread which offtimes wants above a quarter of a pound ; it
is hereby ordered that no baker shall expose to sale any
wheat bread that shall weigh lesse than a Ib. English weight,
upon y e penalty of five pounds and the forfeiture of the
bread to be applyed to y e use aforesaid.
Given at y e citty hall this 29 day of Nov. 1692.
Ordered that the sheriffe have a warrant to levy the
lycence money from the 14th Oct. 1691, to 14th Oct. 1692,
246 The City Eecords.
and a list to be given him accordingly ; and in regarde that
y e retaileing of liquor this summer was prohibited for y e
Indians, y e common councill doe abate one moeyty or half
of y e lycence money from y e 14th Oct. 1691, to the 14th
of Oct. 1692.
Whereas y e Indian house upon the hill goes to dekay of
want of being lookt after, y e sherriffe Joh. Appell is re-
quired to see each trader ride a load of wood to the said
house, and if they refuse he is to cause it to be ridd for
them, and to levy so much money of the goods and chattels
of y e delinquents as shall satisfy y e same.
Nov. 29th. 1692. William Shaw, searcher and waiter of
this port doth exhibite an information to this court giving to
understand that he seized 211 barrs of lead at y e landing
place, upon y e cart of Hans Cross, on Sept. last which was
come from New Yorke and had not pay d y e duty according
to law, and haveing affixed bills at the church door, for y e
owner to appear and answer, and none appearing craves
judgem 1 of condemnation according to law. It is therefore
considered by y s court y l the said 211 barrs of lead be con-
demned and is hereby condemned as prize and forfeit one
third for there majesty, one third to y c governor and one
third for y e said Mr. William Shaw, y e former.
Whereas the citty's stockadoes are much gone to decaye
and nothing more requisite than y l in these dangerous times
ofwarry 6 cittyes should be well fortyfyed, it is resolved ne-
mine contradicente, y l the inhabitants of this citty to ride
this winter so many stockadoes as can be placed from y e
north point of y e fort to y e point at y e riverside, behinde y e
wed w of David Schuylers, and from y e southside of y e fort
to y e kill or creek, commonly called Rattes kill, and to y e
end y l each inhabitant according to there capacity doe de-
liver an equall proportion of stockadoes. Cap 1 Bank and
Mr. Abeeland Mr. Blecker are appointed to measure y e ground
and calculate how many stockadoes of a foot over and 13 foot
long will be needfull to be placed, and alderman Banker, Lans-
ing and Ryckman, with the common council are to make a divi-
dend how much each person is to ride out, and to acquaint
them of it before y e 15 of December next in order y 1 y e
stockadoes may be ride out, and if any bring stockadoes y*
The City Eecords. 247
are not a foot over and 13 foot long they shall be forfeit,
and y e person is to ride oy rs in there room.
Whereas several persons have neglected to fetch fyrewood
for y e citty guards with the sloops this fall, they commission
officers are required to warn these people to fetch there pro-
portion of fyrewood now with canoes before y b river shut up,
and the citty will provide canoes accordingly.
February 7th, 169f. Orderd y* a warrant be issued im-
pouring y e sheriffe, Johannes Appel, to levy y e money
standing out upon lycence, by distresse of there goods and
chattels j l have neglected to pay y e same.
Orderd also j l a warrant be directed to y e constables of
each ward, to distrain those y l have neglected to bring there
proportion of fyrewood to the town gards, for each load of
wood y< they are obliged to bring, Gg 1 z. or two load of wood
and y l forthwith with out delay.
Memorandum dat de Maijor, Aldermans& Common Councill
van dese stadfc Albanij ter eenre en d justices van d
countij ter andere sijde, zijn geaccordeert te weeten.
Present, Pieter Schuyler, mayor, Jan Janse Bleeker,
John Lansing, Joh. Abeel, aldermen : Hend. Van Dyk,
"Wessell ten Brook, assistants; Cap Marte Gerritse, Cap,
Sand. G-lenn, Dirk Teunissen, Cap 1 Gerrit Teunise,
Pieter Vosburgh, justices.
Hebbende eerst woll nagesien & opgenomen alle de
schulden die dese stad en eountij ten agteren zijn als meede
gerekent en geincludeert dese reijs van d assemblij mannen
Mr. Wessels & Mr. Schaijk sijnde tegen wordigh tot N.
Yorke idem d salaris van d clerck Mr. Livingston & mar-
chall James Parker, neffons d voorleser Hendrik Rooseboom,
haer lieden lopende jaer gagie eijndight alle in d herfst
naest komende. Bedragende in 't geheel d somma van
drie hond T en sestigh pond currant gelt. Waervan d stadt
moet betalen drie hond 1 pond mits houdende aen zijn selven
haer excijs op de rom stadts cost nijm op d wilde goederen
en lycencen. In de stadt, &c. En d county Schinnechtady
geexqueert raoet betalen sestigh pond en vier pond aen
James Parker voorgedane A 1690. En verder blijven d
248 % The City Records.
colonie Renselaerswijk gehouden haer assemblijman d pa-
troon Kiliaen van Renselaer apart te betalen aldus geconclu-
deert ten huijse van Mr. Jan Becker treasurer. In Alb.
desen 30 mae.rt, 1693.
Att a Common Councill, July 21, 1693.
Ordered y 1 the citty treasurer doe pay no money of the
cittyes debts without a bill signed by the mayor, recorder
one aldermen and assistant, and that all persons concernd
with y e citty be advertised to procure bills for there just
debts accordingly. That John Becker treasurer doe forth-
with collect what debts are due to the citty.
It is thought convenient, since the citty is considerable
in debt, that a tax or rate be layed upon y e inhabitants of
this citty, viz 1 , the sum of 80, to be assessed by y e citty
assessors, before y e 28 of July, and collected by y e consta-
bles of each ward, and paid to the citty treasurer before the
first day of September, 1693.
Ordered that y e 64 concluded ye 30 March last by y e
justices of the citty and county to be paid by y e county in
Jan. next, be paid 60 to Robert Livingston, clerk and 4
to James Parker, and an order given and signed accordingly.
Ordered y l y e respective justices of y e county of Albany
be sent for to meet hear y e 5 of August next, to consult
about y e act of the penny of y e pound of the governr., and
other things relating to the publike.
Ordered that since there hes been some discourse with
his excell., concerning the penny of y e pounde, and the
rideing new stockadoes for y e fort, which that Coll. Cortlant
bewritt to agree with his excell. that were willing to ride y e
stockadoes for the fort next winter for the penny of y e pound,
and 15 in money over and to gett an answer speedily that
the tax oy r wise may goe forward.
Att a Common Councill, Aug. 1, 1693.
The house of Anthony Lespinard is hyred for the officers
to quarter in, of Hend. van Dyk, atturney, for the somme
of eighteen ps. of 8, upon which the court deducts 4 ps. of
8 for the quartering of a souldier, remaining fourteen ps. of
8 for y e rent a year.
The City Eecords. 249
Ordered by y e court that Richard Pretty shall be allowed
for the lodgeing of Captain Benj. Phipps, and other needfull
necessaries which he had of him to the somme of one pound
two shillings, for which note is given upon y e treasurer,
John Becker.
Att a Meeting &c., Sept. 12, 1693.
Coll. Richard Ingoldesby, commander of this place, and
Maj. Peter Schuyler, one of y e councill, doth produce an
order of councill, dated the first instant, whereby they are
directed to cause all speedy preparations be made for the
fitting of y e fort of Albany with new stockadoes, for which
an agreement is made by Robert Livingston in behalfe of
this citty and county and y e councill, for the charge thereof,
viz 1 105, and desyres the work may be done with all ex-
pedition imaginable.
Ordered that letters be writt to the justices of y e county
to appear next Saturday, being y e 16th instant, about 8
o'clock, to consult about y e said matter, and to have it
effected before winter if possible.
Sept. 20. The justices being convened together to con-
sult what proportion of new stockadoes to ride for the fitting
of the fort of Albany, for which the governor and councill
allows the citty and county y e somme of 105, which somme
is to be disposed as follows, viz 1 . 90 to his excell. for y e
penny of the pound to be levyed by this citty and county
for a free and voluntary gift according to the act of assembly :
the other 15 to be divided among those that ride the stocka-
does, which is for y e 560 to be employed for said use, 6^d.
a piece. There is wanting to fill the fort with new stock-
does 560, viz'., 250 of 20 foot, and 310 of 19 foot. It is
concluded that the city doe ride for there proportion y e
quantity of
200 vizt. 90 of 20ft. and 110 of 19 ft.
Rensselaers colony, 100 45 55
Schennechtady, 90 40 50
Kinderhook, 85 38 47
Catskill & Coxhachy, 55 24 31
Caverack, 30 14 16
560 251 309
250 The City Records.
The said stockadoes are to be 12 inches thick at y e smallest
end, and to be of good smooth-barked pyne, not of your
bkck-bark pyne, and be sett up against the old stockadoes
in a months time.
Tis mede geconcludeert dat d colonij Renselyerswijk sail
brant hout & caersen vourneren voort blockhuijse achter t
Stadt Huijse voort aenstaende jaer en daeren boven 30 voor
hout met 2 paerden leveren luyt blockhuijs achter d Luijter-
sekerk. Dat Kinderhook t blockhuijse achter de Luyterse
kerk sail fourneeren met brant hout & kaersen voor 't aen-
staende jaer. Dat Catskill, Coxhachy, and Patkook sail
brant hout and caersen fourneeren voor t blockhuijs op t
pleijn voor 't aenstaende jaer. 1
Rob 1 Livingston, clerk deser stadt & county vertoon 't d
assignatie von de mayor, aldermaus & commonality op d
justices van d county ter somme van 60 voor hem, & 4
voor James Parker, en versoekt acceptatie.
D asgignatie woort van de county justices geaccepteert te
betalen volgens de tydt daerin gespecificeert & wort goetge-
vonden dat Schinnechtady daer toe sail contribuceerd 7 : 10.
D andere sullen* haer proportion determineeren so drae
als d patroon 't huijs comt.
Den 23 Sept. a warrant was directed to y e burger com-
mission officers to cause y e burgers meet and gett y e stocka-
does rid out for y e fort but by them denyed.
,The 26th Sept. a warrant was directed to the assessors to
make an equal computation how many stockadoes each was
to ride for the fort.
Oct. 14, 1693. 'This day being appointed by y e charter
of this city for the aldermen of the Tespective wards to
bring there returns of y e aldermen, assistants, assessors and
constables of each warde, the following returns were made ',
For aldermen. Evert Banker, Peter Bogardus, Albert
Ryckman, Jan Abeel, John Bleeker, Jan Lansing.
1 These relate to furnishing wood and candles to the three block
houses on the south side of the city, by the country towns. The
one behind the City Hall (Stadt Huijse) was at the gate where Hud-
son street now intersects Broadway ; the one behind the Lutheran
church was at Pearl and Beaver streets, and the one on the plain,
was at the outlet of Green street.
The City Records. 251
For assistants. Hend. Van Dyk, Jacob Staets, Job.
Thomese, Hend. Hanse, Abraham Cuyler.
For assessors. John Becker, Ben. Van Corlaer, Gerrit
Van Ness, Egbert Teunisse, Luykas Gerritse, Jacob ten Eyck.
For constables. Elbert Gerritse, Jan Vandehoev, Gerrit
Rooseboom.
Pr. Vanbrugge is chosen for high constable for the ensue-
ingyear, and sworne y e 2 1st of November, 1693. The mayor
and aldermen took there seats and voted for the treasurer
or chamberlain of this citty, for y e next -year, and it fell
upon Johannes Appell, who was sworn accordingly.
Whereas you, Johannes Appell, are chosen to be cham-
berlain or treasurer of this citty, you shall swear by the
everliving God, y l you shall faithfully and diligently perform
y e said office, by keeping an exact account of the revenue of
this citty in fare books to be kept for that purpose, and ren-
der an account thereof to the mayor, aldermen and common-
ality when thereunto required, and endeavor as much as in
you lyes to promote y e intrest of y e citty relateing the reve-
nue or taxes -of this citty, and in all things behave yourself as
becomes y e office of a treasuer and the duty, so help you God.
Ordered that Maj r Wesseles, Mr. Banker, Mr. Bleeker
and Mr. Ryckman, Mr. van Dyk, Abraham Cuyler and Joh.
Mingael, doe call Mr. Jan Becker, late treasurer, to ace 1 of
the cittyes revenue and give a report thereof next court day.
Oct. 24th 1693. Alderman Joh. Abeel comeing from
New Yorke, his excellency writes to Pieter Schuyler, mayor,
that he had commissionated y e said Abeel to be mayor of
this citty, who appearing in the court took the following
oath :
Whereas you are commissionate to be mayor of this citty,
you doe swear by y e ever living .God y 1 you will with all your
power and understanding maintain and preserve the liberties
and privileges of this city and doe justice impartially to rich
and poor, without favor or affection, and officiate in all
things that belongs to the office of a mayor of this citty to
the best of your skill and understanding, so help you God.
[The commission of Johannes Abeel, which he brought home
on this occasion, is still in existence, and is published in vol.
I, p. 152, or p. 213 of last edition.]
252 The City Records.
Nov. 7th, 1693. John Fisker, Comp 1 ., Jochim Staets,
Deft The PL demands by his declar. upon assumption
five pounds eight shillings, for 3 hatts deliverd to 3 persons
as per. a note under his hand appears. The Deft desyres a
nonsute, because it is a debt due in Leyslers time, and ought
to be determined by y e commissioners. The court refers the
business till Jochim Staets comes in the spring y e middle of
April, since y e PI. says it is Jochim Staets particular debt.
Ordered y l Jan Cornelse Vysselaer, Jan Vinnagen, Melg.
Wynantse and Gerr' van Ness be for the ensuing year,
and a warrant be given them to search all dangerous place
for fear of fyre.
Dec. 19th, 1693. William Hollie, requests the mayor
and aldermen y l he may be admitted, since Zacharias* Sick-
ells is gone to N. Yorke, to be the towns cryer and porter
and to shutt and open y e gates of this citty, promising to be
diligent in said employ, provided he hes y u sellary as Zacha-
rias had. The court will take into consideration.
January 2d, 169f. William Hollie is upon his request,
appointed to be porter and towne cryer, and ordered to take
his oath accordingly, which was done in y e presence of Evert
Banker, alderman, y e 17th of March, 169|.
Joh. Cuyler vs. Corn Teunise. The PL demands delivery
of 100 skepl. wheat which he bought of him at 5gl. 5s. to
be delivered the 12 of October last, else at 5 skepl. per 2
ps. of 8, and prays judgment.
Feb. 8th, 169f. At the sessions it was ordered by y e
mayor and alderman y l Gerrit van Ness and William G-ys-
bert should be overseers of y e kings high ways, in this citty
and precincts thereof.
Att a Mayor's Court, Feb. 6, 169f .
Johannes Appell sheriffe esqr. vs. David Keteleyn, Dan-
iel Bratt deft s . The sheriffe demands of y e defendants y e
somme of tenn pounds, of a fine for selling drink to y e In-
dians at Kinderhook on a sabbath day, about a month agoe.
Pr. Martense, constable, being sworn says y l a month agoe
on a sabbath day, he was sent by y e justices of y e peace and
The City Eecords. 253
found y e 2 defts in an Indian house at Kinderhook selling
drink to y e Indians, and y y e Indians were drunk found
a kegg of rom by y e skinns, and y e deft* took away the
skinns and the kegg.
The deft 5 deny y e fact and putts them upon the country.
The case defferred till next court day for y e evidences.
Feb. 24, 169f. The common council were convened
to consult what should be proper to remonstrate to y e
general assembly y 1 is to sitt y e first of March next ensuing,
and to that end doe desyre that Dirk Wessels and Ryer
Shermerhoorn the representatives of y e citty and county of
Albany may propose that these fronteers of Albany may be
better secured with a greater garrison, and the out posts well
mand and y l there may be a company of buss Loopers raised
to scour y e cost for schulking partyes of y e enemy, else the
farmers can not be securd but will be necessitate to desert
y e country.
That y e act of y e 2ps r formerley granted to the citty of
Albany for the defraying y e publike charges thereof may be
revyved for two years longer.
March 6th, 169f. Johannes Appell, sheriffe vs. David
Keteleyn and Daniel Bratt. The p 1 was ordered to summonce
y e evidences for this court which he says he has done, and
the wittnesses are at Green Bush, but can not come over, y e
yse being so rotten, prays that the bussinesse may be deferred
till next court day. The deft 3 appear and desyre tnat the
tryall may proceed, being designd to gae out of y e county.
The court grants time till next court day by reason of the yse
being unfitt to bear, and that the wittnesses can not come over.
Att a meeting, &c., March 10, 169f .
Also der Claghte aen haer E zijn geprefereert wegens 't
soontje van Hend. Rooseboom met naem Wouter de welke
niet by zijn perfecte sinne is en doet over last aen d kinders
van d buyrt hebbende een soontje van Mr. Livingston
met een byltie boven zijn oogh gehakt waer door grooter on
heylen konde renondeeren so ist dat haer E den gemelde
Rooseboom hebben ontboode en sulkz hem voor geleijt dat
indie n hij gemelde soontje niet will ophoude of 't verplaetse
Annals, ii. 22
254 The City Records.
uyt de stadt dat zy het niet en soude kennen. Verantworden
waerop de Rooseboom belooft sodanige sorgh te draegen in
't aenstaende met het kindt in huijs te houden voor een
maent en dan met hem personelijk te nemen & daer op
passen dat hy geen voider quaet en sail doen. Haer E
van d gerechte ordeneeren well exprysselijk dat Hendrik
Rooseboom syn gemelde soontje genaemt Wouter so lang als
hy neit by zijn kenisse is op te houden & so danig op te
passen als hy uijt gaet datter gaen vordere Claghte en comt
of t anders da' zy genoodt saekt sullen zyn andere mesures
te nemen om alle vordere en heijlen voer te comen.
[Relates to the little son of Roseboom, who being of unsound
mind, was unfit to go at large among the children of the place,
having committed acts of violence. He was therefore sentenced to
be restrained by his father from appearing in the streets.]
Att a Mayors Court, March 20th, 169f .
Johannes Appell, sheriff, versus David Ketelheyn and
Daniel Bradt, defts. Jury : John Fisher, Abraham Cuyler,
Luykas Gerritse, Jacob Ten Eyk, John de Wandelaer,
Anthony van Shack, Johannes Rooseboome, John Finnagell,
Isaak Verplank, Johannes Bleeker junr., Johannes Beekman
Phillip Freest: The p l declares y' y e defts have traded with
the Indians at Kinderhook, contrarie to the laws and y e
priveledges of this city, and that upon y e Lord's day make-
ing y e Indians drunk in so much y l the constable was in
danger of his life. Pieter Martense, constable and Nath.
Wheeler, sworne. The jury gives in there verdict y l they
finde y e deft 3 David Ketelheyn and Daniel Bratt, guilty
in being so found by y e constable with the Indians on the
sabbath day at Kinderhook, contrary to the laws and prive-
ledges of this city. It is therefore considered by the court
that the said David Ketelheyn and Daniel Bratt doe pay a
a fine of 2 p s of 8 a p s courant money of this province with
cost of sute.
Att a Common Council, May 15th, 1694.
Orderd that the assistants of this citty doe make billetts
for ye quartering of y e 200 Fuzilleers, that are raised for
y e securing ye fronteers from May till October, 1695.
The City Records. 255
By the Mayor and Aldermen and Commonality of the
citty of Albany.
Whereas sevrall inhabitants of y e citty doth hyre house
for y e lodegeing of y e souldiers y* are quarterd upon them
and at y e same time neglect to furnish y m with fyrewood
whereby they are necessitate to steel from y e neighbourhood
to ye great dammage of y e burgers and inhabitants ; wee doe
therefore hereby order y l all persons who putts there soul-
diers out to quarter and doe not k( ep them in there houses. y l
they doe furnish them sufficiently with fyrewood, and for want
thereof all wood which y e said souldiers shall steel or embezell
there land lords, shall be forthcoming or lyable to pay trible
dammages for there neglect, and moreover a fine as y e meritt
of y e case shall require. Actum in Albany 15 May, 1694.
God bless king William and queen Mary.
Ordered y l the house of Anthony Lespinard be hyred
another year till May 1694, for ace 1 of y e citty to quarter
three Leifts. in y e same, y 1 is for Leif 1 Abra. Bickford, Lieft
Symon Young and Leif 1 Robert Macilby.
Alsoo dat het bevonden wort dat d wegen & straten van d
stadt van Albany so on reddelijck leggen so wort tot dien
eijnde geauthorizeert Jan Gow, Gerrit Lansing, en Willem
Gysbertse om toe seght daer op 't nemen en te ordineeren
aen yder particulier burger en inwoonder van dese stadt om
d straten voor haer deur in goede reparatie ; t brengen als
mede d hooge wegen in d lemijte van Albany. Actuin in
Albany de 26 Junij, 1694.
[Requires each citizen to put the street in front of his premises
in good order.]
Alsoo daer bevonde wort dafc daer dangerous gestookt
wort lot groote Perijkell voord inwoonders van Albany, so
wort lot dien eijnde om all ongelucke daer van voort 't komen
geordineert Rob 1 Sanderse, Jan Gow en Melgert Wynantse
nevens d constable aenstonts om 't gaen visseteeren alle
huijse in dese stadt daer zy vinde dangerous gestookt wort
dat zijn sodanige plaetse verbeeteren of te vernieteghen als
mede to gaen visseteere of te noch eenige brant leeren en
brant haeken moghte bevonde worden dat zij wederem niogen
gerepereert worde en op bequaem plaetse mochte gehangen
worden dat zij in tijdt van noodt gebruijckt worden.
[Requires the houses to be visited to see if the chimneys were
256 The City Records.
safe, and when found dangerous to require them to be put in order ;
also to see that the fire ladders and hooks were kept in order and
in their proper places.]
Sept. 4th, 1694. Catelyntie y e wed w of Jacob Abrahamse
doe peticon y e court for letters of administration upon y e
estate of John Cok, who lodged at her house and was acci-
dentally killed by a cannon y 1 splitt in there majesties fort
on February 16 |f. Y u court grants her requestt, giving
security according to law.
Hester Tierks executrix of Volkie Pieterse vs. Takel
Dirkse. The PL demands of y e deft by oft rekening with
Volkje Piterse 15 vaten teer, 1 /122, and 9 sk, maijes and 6gl.
aeg., 1 sk. sout. 2 The deft wife says that there is 12 barrels
teer paid upon this. The PI. shows y e book of y e deceased
where y e oft reckoning is writt doune by Adriaen Appell.
The court orderd y l the deft appear next court day, else
judgm 1 shall passe against him.
Sept. 18th, 1694. The jury sworne are John Fisher,
Joh. Rooseboom, Myn* Schuyler, Isaak Verplank, Pieter
Davidse, Marte Cregier, John Becker junr., Joh. Bleeker
jun., Wouter van der tltthoft, Gysb 1 Marcelise, Anthony
Bries, Evert 'Wendell. The PI. persists to demand of y e
Deft by an oft rekoning with Volkie Pieterse 15 barrells
tarr, and twelfve gilders 15 stuyvers zewant, en 9 skeppell
Indian corn, and 6 gl. of 1 sk. sout. The Deft Takel Dirkse
appears in his own proper person in the court, and says that
he hes paid 12 barrells of tarr upon y e above ace 1 but after-
wards the partyes referred it to undefferent men who com-
posed the matter, the defendant acknowledging y e debt and
promises to pay it provided he hes time, and tenders to give
an obligation to y e Deft for y e same, which y e said 2 men
viz 1 Gabr. Thomson and Joh. Rooseboom delivers for there
report to the court.
Rob 1 Livingston vs. Harma Gansevoort. The PI. demands
of y e Deft six pounds, for a years excyse, from p mo . May
1689 to p mo May 1690. The Deft says that he did not tape
that time nor was not agreed. Witnesses sworne are, Barent
Pieterse, John Knox, William Carnes, John Vinnagen, John
-^Garter, Jan Cornelise Vysselaer, Gabriel Thomson, Hend.
^ Jjansrng, Luykas Gerritse, Lawrence van Ale, William Shaw.
*Tar. " 'Salt.
The City Records. 257
The jury sworne in this, G-ysbert Marcelise Mynd' Schuyler,
Pr, Davidtse Schuyler, Marte Cregier, Joh. Becker jun.,
Joh. Bleeker jun., Wouter van der Uthoft, Anth. Bries,
Evert Wendell jun., Jonas Volkertse, Johannes Mingael,
Dirk van der Hey den. The jury bring in there verdict and
fynde y e Deft hath tapped in that year from y e p mo . May
1689, to y e p mo . May 1690. The court having considered y e
case, doe order the Deft to pay y e PI. ye somme of six
pounds courrant money of this province for y e excyse of a
year from y e p mo . May 1689 to p mo . May 1690, for ye
behooffe of there Maj es with costs of sute.
Omy Lagrange vs. Gerrit Luykasse. The plentive demands
of y - Deft for sundrey goods delivered to him upon his jour-
ney to the Minnesink this last spring to trade with the In-
dians y e quantity of seven and twenty pounds bever and three
hondert and forty-two gilders 5 st. zewant. The Deft comes .
in his oune proper person and says he is not so much indebted ;
for it was agreed that he should have y e goods as cheap as
of Abraham Schuyler, who came then from N. Yorke. The
plentive replyes and says y l he was to have the same rate y l
Maj. Schuyler was to have for his. The case is deferred
till Maj. Pr. Schuyler and Abraham Schuyler come to toune,
in y e meantime y e 3 6. heavy pieces of 8 in the hands of Joh.
Appell sheriff are to be delivered to the plentive upon ace*.
Oct. 16.. The jury bring in their verdict and fynde y l
y e Deft must pay the plentive her goods according as y e
price was then in Albany, at that time for ready money.
And that the plentive pay the costs of sute.
Same vs. Same. The PI. says y l y e Deft, agreed with him
at Sopus to take in forty-three of y e farr Indians for Albany,
with their bevers, promising him at y e rate of three shillings
a piece. The Deft, denys that he made such an agreement.
The PI. desyres that y e case may be deferred till he brings
evidence, which y e court graunts.
[This case was called for the third time Oct. 16, and the
plaintiff not appearing a non-suit was granted.]
Oct. 14, 1694. The election returns this day were for
the first ward and sworne,
Evert Banker, Jacob Staats, aldermen; Joh.
Benony Corlaer, assistants; Joh. Dewandelaer,
Dyk, assessors ; Joh s Teller, constable, f^ J^" *m
** 3
258 The City Records.
For the second ward and sworne, J. Janse Bleeker, John
Lansing, aldermen ; Evert Wendell, Joh s Cuyler, assistants ;
Jan. Bleker, Pr. Mingael, assessors ; Stephanis Groesbeek,
constable.
For the third warde and sworne, Albert Ryckman, Geritt
van Ness, aldermen ; Hend. Hansen, Joh s Thomase, assist-
ants; Eghbert Teunise, Anthony Bradt, assessors; Joh.
Bradt, constable.
Gerrit Roseboom, sworne high constable.
Johanns Appell, chosen treasurer and sworne.
November 15, 1694. Is ordered that Joh s Appel, sher-
rif, goe and warn the Brant masters, R l Sanders, Jan. Gow
and Melgt Wynantse to perform there derections, directed
to them y e 26th Juny, 1694, concerning the brant haeken
and fyreing dangerously. It is ordered and found very
requisite y l y e aldermen of each respective ward shall cause
to be made again two brantleere, 1 a great one and a little one,
with yron hooks, and y l in time of one month, and cause to
be brought to a ready place in case of any occasion what-
somever, and then to bring in their accounts.
Dec. llth, 1694. It is ordered by ye mayor and alder-
men of the citty of Albany, that John Lansing, Jacob Staats,
Gerrit van Ness, Joh. Thomase, Banony van Corlaer and
Hend. Hansen shall goe and viziet round the towne to see
what stoekadoes there will be wanting for y e ensueing year,
divided and conclude y m every perticulaer according to his
estate, and to measure how many rodd there wants, and
where abouts y l reperation may be made, upon y e penalty as
y e matter deserves. Dated in Albany y e llth day of Dec.
1694.
It is ordered by warrant y* the justices shall appear in
Albany the 20th of this instant.
A Proclamation.
Whereas diverse persons, inhabitants of this citty, doe
presume to sell drink by retaile without licence to y e great
damage of y e revenue of this place and y e 'increase of de-
bauchery and wickedness, wee doe therefore hereby publish
and declare that no person inhabiting, sojourning within y e
1 Fire ladders.
The City Eecords. 259
citty and county of Albany, doe directly or indirectly sell
any drink to Christians or Indians, without a new licence
under y e hand of y e mayor and the seale of this citty,
they paying a reasonable acknowlegement for y e same, and
shall likewise pay all such excyce and dutys as by the law
is enjoyned under y e penalty therein specified on pain
and penalty of paying as a fine for each offence y e somme of
five pounds, one half for y e citty and y e other half to such
person as shall sue for y e same, which said licences always
are to terminate yearly upon y e 14th of October. Given
under Hand y e llth Dec., 1694.
Signed, J. ABEEL, Mayor.
Pr Robt. Livingston, C.
Dec. 27, 1694. Visited the reckoning of y e coll. Chida
Brooke, made up by Rob 1 Livingston, whereby wee find y e
citty and county of Albany doe stand indebted y e summe of
315, in two severall taxes, upon w h there is paid y e summe
of 213 : 9 : 3 so y 1 they remain indebted y e summe of
101 : 10 : 9. It is ordred y* each justice of y e peace of his
respective warde shall call in y e collectors y l time to bring
,in there list of there tax and y l in time of fourteen days.
Whereas Mr. Rob 1 Livingston having made up his acct
before his departure to England, with y e mayor and alder-
men, and it being vizited and we doe find it agreeable to the
treasurers book and have cleered all aect s viz 1 , of excyce of
rom and oy r merchandize, and also agreed and cleered with y e
years sallary from Aug. 1689 to Aug. 1690. and all others
till the 14th of Oct. 1694, only excepted y e following years
sallary from y e 14th Oct. 1694.
Att a Meeting of Mayor &c., Dec. 28, 1694.
It is agreed by y e mayor and aldermen, with the justices
of y e county of Albany, that y e justices of y e county shall
pay y e sum of four and forty pounds with y e two pounds to
James Parker, makes in whole six and forty pounds courant
money for all charges done for y e citty and county aforesaid
till y e 14th day of Oct. 1694, except y e pretence and acct s
of Barent Bradt, William Hoffmayer, Adriaen Appel, and
Maritie wed w of Cornells van de Hoeve, concerning y e re-
moveing of there houses, following the orders of y e magis-
260 The City Records.
trates of y e citty aforesaid on y e 18th of Feb. 168 9 Q-, which
sume, forty six pounds, they doe promise to pay in y e
pmo O f Aprill ensueing, 1695. Of which sume of forty
six pounds K. V. Renselaer is to pay 4, and Schaenhech-
tady 11 : 10, Kinderhook 16:15, and Castkill and Cox-
hachky 13 : 15 is just 46. ..
It is further ordered y l y e afores' 3 justices of y e county of
Albany shall ride for y e three Blockhouses, on ye south side
of this citty, three hundred load of wood, with two horses,
viz 1 : the collony Renselaerswyck with Olaverak, one hundred
and fifty lood of good oak, ippere, bill, stell or dry pine and
ashy; and for Catskill, Coxhackie and Kinderhoek, two
hundred good load of wood, as aforementioned, which three
hundred and fifty load of wood is to be visited 1 by Paulis Mar-
tense, for which visitation it is ordred y l Paulus Martense
shall two p s of f which three hundred and fifty load of wood,
y e aforesaid justices doe promise to deliver in four weeks time
from this day. Agreed with Dirk and Gerritt Teunise that
they shall deliver twenty blocks of 21 inches long, and
Peter and Isaac Vosburgh 3 balks of 15 foot long.
January 8, 169f. Jan Casperse gives in a peticon y l ye
court will be pleased to appoint two sufficient men to vallow
y e estate of William Hoffmayer, deceased, which y e court
after vizited graunts unto him two sufficient men being
Mr. Pr. van Brugh and Joh. Dewandlaer upon oath y l they
only vallow the moveables according to y e invantary.
February 27th, 169^|. Whereas complaint is made y 1
Marte Cregier is intended to build a house next to his dwell-
ing house contrary to his excellency's order, it is therefore
ordered by y e mayor, aldermen and common councill, y l
Albert Ryckman, Jacob Staats and Cap 1 John Janse Bleeker
shall observe and take information of what y e s d Marte
Cregier is intended to build, and on what manner ; and
after when they have observed it, they are to warn s d
Marte Cregier thereof, and then give in there report to y e
mayor.
Whereas the mayor, aldermen and common councill, be-
ing convened concerning ye containing 2pr. ct. who doth
1 Inspected.
The City Records. 261
agree and conclude y l the s d 2pr. ct., shall continue for y e
ensuing year, and y l our representatives, Maj r Wessels,
K. V. Rensselaer and Ryer Schermerhoorn shall propose it
in y e assembly.
March 12th, 169^. Whereas complaints are made y l ye
streets of Albany are found so unfitt y 1 is most unable for
any person to use them, it is therefore found very requisite
by y e mayor, aldermen and common councill, y t every house-
holder shall make or cause to be made, eight foot ground
before his own house fronting to y e streets, paved with stones
as formerly ; and it is also ordred y l Claes Ripse van Dam
and J. Grow y l they shall be overseers, y l y e s d streets may
be orderly laid, and y l between this and y e first of June,
upon pain and penalty for every week after y l time six shil-
ling from each person.
March 29th, 1695. Whereas Coll. Rich d Ingoldesby
has ordered Mr. Mayor to quarter Leift Shanks in town,
whereto Mr. Mayor could not resolve, being he was an offi-
cer belonging to her maj s garison in y e fort, whereupon
Mr. Mayor calls y e common councill for there advice, and
replyes to them y 1 y e Coll. will not releve y e town before y e
Leift Shanks is quartered in town. Whereupon y c common
councill think it is a hardship to keep s d granadeers in town,
but will rather quaerter s (1 Shanks till they make there adress
to his excellency for releve.
April 30th, 1695. Whereas John Cuyler and Joh
Roseboom, deakons of y e Doutch congregation of Albany,
makes there adresse to y e mayor and aldermen that it might
be granted them, that Maj ' Pr. Schuyler and Domini, might
convine together concerning a certain transport given by y e
s d Maj r Schuyler late mayor, unto y e late deakons of y e said
Doutch congregation, upon a water run commonly known by
y e Bev r creek; whereupon y e mayor and aldermen grants
yt s d Maj r Schuyler and Domini Dellius shall meet in y e
afternoon to give a right information concerning s d transport.
Whereas there is new stockadoes ride this last winter for
y e reparation of this citty of Albany, but y e weather haveing
been so uncertain and still so continues, and also y e high
262 The City Records.
water y l it is almost impossible for y m to be sett along y e river
side, doe therefore think very requisite and convenient y*
all inhabitants y l have ride there stockadoes at y e south side
of y e citty, and Lutheran church, and middle-most block
house, shall sett there stockadoes in y e space of three times
four and twenty hours, upon pain and penalty of three shil-
lings for every person and immediately to strain upon there
goods and chattels, and do thereunto authorize Joh* Appel
sherrif, to take observation y l it may be equally done.
Whereas the gates and high wayes of the citty of Albany
are so unconvenient for any use, being therefore thought
very requisite by y e mayor, aldermen and commonalty, y*
a small tax of fifty pounds shall be raised out of the citty of
Albany y l y e s d gates and highways may be repared and
made in good order, and also y T y e assessors are to make the
assessm 1 between this and y e first of June, and to deliver it
to the collectors w h collectors are immediately to raise s d
sume of money before y e first of July next ensuing, and give
it in y e hands of y e treasurer, Johannis Appell.
Upon the report made of D. Wessels, who had deliver d in
Nov. a petition to y e Grov and councill, whereby he desyred
of the Governor and councill to have a warrant on the addi-
tionell duty to satisfy the sume of 1105:2:3, that hath been
disbursed by several! inhabitants of the citty and county of
Albany and Ulster, in y e late revolution, whose acct s hath
been produced by y e assembly in y e time when Coll R. In-
goldesby was commander in chief; but it seemed his excel-
lency and councill was not pleased with the inspecting of y e
s d account by the committee y l there was appointed to y l
purpose, but was pleased to order a committee of y e councill
y l they should inspect y e aforesaid acct 8 . Whereupon the
mayor, aldermen and commonalty of Albany, conveined
together and have considered y e necessity for y e want of y e
afores d money, because some runns still upon intrest, to y e
great damage of y e inhabitants, is therefore resolved y 1 May
Abeel, D Wessels, K. V. Rensselaer and Joh s Cuyler, shall
doe all there best endeavors for y e procureing of y e said
money, wherefore they are allowed y e half of y e four posts
mentioned in y e list for y e citty, being y e sumrne of 303:2,
for y e quaertering y e soldiers of Cap 1 Bulls company in the
yere
The City Records. 263
Whereas Marte Cregier of y e citty of Albany, having
made an adresse to the mayor, aldermen and commonalty, to
be admitted to build a house of 15 foot on y e north side of
his house, standing in y e Parrell street next y e stockadoes
or behinde s d house, w h addresse y e s d mayor, aldermen and
commonalty doth reject, and saith y 1 if the s d Marte Cregier
thinks his house too little, they will allow him to enlarge y e
s d house seven or eight feet, but for building a new att this
present time can not be allowed.
Att a Mayor's Court, May 14th, 1695.
Proclamation. Being thought very requisite by the re-
corder and aldermen for y e repairing of y e citty of Albany ;
every particular person that hath not sett there proportion
of stockadoes belonging to the citty, shall in y e space of five
days sett there s d stockadoes in a good and equall way, and
upon pain and penalty of y- sume of six shillings for each per-
son y l doth not perform ye same ; and also y l no person or
persons shall in y e least meddle or make with any of the old
stockadoes to take them away for any use, but y l they shall
be reserved for y e use of y e guards ;- likewise y l every in-
habitant within this city shall clain y e streets before there
door from all filth and fyre wood, and also y l no inhabitant
shall lay any timber to his neighbors prejudice, but to remove
it to such places where they intend to build.
Whereas it is resolved by y e recorder, aldermen and com-
monalty, that the assessors of the city of Albany shall pre-
pare billes or tickets for y e quartering of y e quantity of one
hundred men, y ! within y e limitts of the city afores' 1 in the
space of three days without fail, and give in there return at
Majr Wessells.
It is thought also very convenient y l y e sheriffe shall
order a constable to presse all y e carters belonging to y e
citty of Albany against tomorrow, to goe for Melgerts mill
and fetch each a load of slabbs fore y e repareing of y e bridges
and oy r necessaryes of y e afors d citty.
May 21th, 1695. Whereas we dayly expect men from
New York for y e sacurity of these, her Majestys fronteers of
Albany, we doe therefore appoint John Lansing, Jacob
264 The City Eecords.
Stoats, Gerrit van Ness, aldermen, and Banony van Corlaer,
Job* Thomase and Hend. Hansen, to prepare for the quar-
tering of the souldiers j l shall come.
June 4th, 1695. Whereas the assessors having now
delivered in there assessment of y e last tax, amounting to
y e summe of fifty pounds and odd money, which is not signed
by all the assessors ; wee doe therefore hereby command you
Hend. van Dyk, to order y l all y e assessors, with your self,
to convein together at one aclock, upon penalty of forty shil-
lings, and make a true assessment under hand and scale of
each particular assessor, and thereupon make your return to
morrow morning to y e mayor and justices of y e citty of
Albany.
June llth, 1695. Whereas there are several warrants
and orders directed to the sherrif, Joh 3 Appel, which he has
not punctially persued following his directions; doe there-
fore now strictly order, and command the said sherriffe, what-
soever orders or warrants are to him directed in absence of
our mayor, he shall forthwith persue the same.
Whereas on the llth of March 169f, and order being
directed by the mayor of y e citty of Albany, unto Mr. Jacob
Turk and Pr. van Brugh, to have the uppermost waell
standing on the hill prepared, and to have the water from
the fort drawn thereunto with an ruyoull as formerly. The
s cl Mr. Jacob Turk and Pr. van Brugh appears now here per-
sonally, with there ace' and charges made to the s d waell,
amounting to the sume of five hundred seventy three gilders
11 stuyvers in wampum, for which summe of money afores d ,
well and truly to be paid, the mayor, aldermen and common-
alty have taken unto consideration and doe therefore appoint
and authorize Bennony van Corlaer, Joh s Cuyler and Joh 3
Thomase, who shall bate all and every particular inhabitant of
this citty what they shall pay for the afores ' sume disbursed for
the reparation of the s d waell, and whereas y t: mayor, aldermen
and commonalty doe find an unconvenience y l the streets at
last will come to damage by the water running out of y e s d
wall ; it is therefore resolved by the s i1 mayor, aldermen and
commonalty that another wall shall be made in the s ' street
upon a convenient place, and forthwith drawne into the
creek behynde Maj r Schuyler's.
The City Becords. 265
Whereas the streets and bridges of the citty of Albany
are so uncqnvenient for want of being repaired, especially
the great bridge by Maj r Schuyler, doe therefore appoint
and authorize Joh s Appel, high sheriffe of the citty of
Albany, to gett the afores d bridges and streets well repaired
and in good order that in the time of eight days ensueing this
date, especially the bridge by Maj Schuyler, and this you are
in no ways to ommitt, upon penalty as the fact deserves.
Dated in Albany the llth day of June, in y e seventh year
of his majestys reign, anno do. 1695.
"Whereas there is a considerable summe of money due to
the two taxes of 2000, and 1550, by the citty and county
of Albany in the year of our lord 1691, as p r the list of each
particular ward doth appear, whereunto the justices doe
appoint and command that y e constables of the citty and
county afores d , emmediately to goe round and collect the
said summe of money, as is still standing out, belonging to
the said taxes.
Whereas several proclamations hath been formerly directed
to the sheriff, Joh s Appell, who are not well observed as it
ought to be, doe hereby renue all the proclamations unto
him derected viz 1 : against people who doe trade and keep
conversation with the Indians upon the hill or elsewhere,
that such orders shall still continue and remain in full force
and vertue as ever did.
Whereas the aldermen and commonalty doth recommend
Major Dirk Wessels and Mayor John Abeel representatives
for y e citty and county of Albany, to propose in the general
assembly y l the containing of the two pr. cts. at and 3d.
upon y e gallon might be granted as formerly, to continue
for the ensueing year.
June 23, 1695. Whereas the retailers of the citty of
Albany doe retaile to the Indians in this dangerous time of
alarm, doe hereby order Joh s Appel, high sherriffe, emmedi-
ately to goe round to all the retailers of this citty aforesaid
to prohibite them to draw any strong drink to any Indians
in this dangerous times, untill further order from the mayor
and aldermen of y e citty aforesaid. Dated in Albany this
24th day of June 1695.
Annals, ii. 23
266 The City Records.
Att a Common Councill &c., July 12, 1695.
Whereas there has been an actentituled an act for y e defray-
ing y e necessary charges of the city and county of Albany of
2 per cent upon all Indian goods, likewise 3d. upon each gallon
rom y l shall be imported in y e citty and county of Albany,
which was expired y e 18th of May last and now being confirmed
by y e general assembly, to remain in full force and virtue
for y e space of two years ensuing the 4th of July 1695, be-'
ing then published, doe hereby strictly charge and command
all masters "of vessels, merchants, or other persons whatso-
ever, that should have any such Indian goods or rorn brought
or received from New York in this citty and county afore-
said, shall enter such goods at y e treasurer, Johs. Appell, or
his deputy, within the space of 12 hours after their arrive-
ment, and to land the said goods at the gate by the court house
of this citty, as formerly, and whoever neglects to enter such
goods as aforesaid, or any thing to the contrary hereof, shall
forfeit all the same.
Whereas there is one Liev 1 Riede now lately come from
England under Capt. Wm. Kidd's company, to lay here in
y e fronteers of Albany, having no bedding, doe hereby order
and appoint John Lansing and John Cuyler to provide bed-
ding for the said Liev't upon y e citty charge in the time of
three days ensuing this date of y e 12th July, 1695, upon
penalty as y e fact deserves.
July 25, 1695.- Whereas Mr. J. Lansing, O. V. Ness,
and H. Hansen who are appointed to goe and agree with
Robert Sanders concerning the hyre of his chamber for the
leif 1 of Captain Weems, have brought in their report that
they are agreed with y e said Robert Sanders for the space
of one year for the sum of 17 ps. of 8, commencing the 23d
of June 1695, and determining the 23d June, 1696, which
sume of 17 ps. of 8 is laid at y e charge of y e citty of Albany
to satisfy y e s d Robert Sanders.
Whereas Marte Cregier appears here personally, who since
the 30th of April last makes his addresse again to be ad-
mitted to build a house of fifteen foot square on the north
of his corner house on y e east of y e Parrel street, near the
fortification of the citty of Albany, bynding and obliging him-
self in no further building to the north during this warr,
The City Records. 267
and if in time of peace he shall be admitted to further build-
ing, but in case of further war it should be ordered to remove
his buildings, the said Cregier doth fully ingage to remove
such buildings upon his owne charges.
The mayor, aldermen and commonalty of this citty doe
graunt the request as aforesaid provided first approbation
of his ex c y the Cap 1 Genl.
Att a Councill held att Fort Wm. Henry, the 15th day of
Aug { , 1695 : Present his ex'cy Benj 11 Fletcher, &c.
Marte Cregier having represented to his ex'cy in councill
that he hath obtained liberty from y e mayor and aldermen
of Albany to build his house in the s cl citty near a block-
house provided he have his ex'cys approbation, the order of
the mayor and aldermen of Albany was read in councill, and
his ex'cy was pleased to give his approbation thereunto.
Att a Common Councill held in the Citty Hall of Albany,
the 6th of AugS 1695.
Whereas Maj. D. Wessels, J. J. Bleeker, aldermen, Joh.
Cuyler and H. Hansen, assistants, were appointed the 25th
of July last to vizite the accounts of y e last year's revenue
and the tax of 50 now lately collected, who give in there
report that y e treasurer Joh. Appell is out over and above
y e summe of 15gl. and 6st. and Johs. Becker y e summe of
26gl. 4Jst. in wampum. The 31st July, 1695, vizited.
GLOSSARY.
The change of sovereignty which the colony of New Netherland
underwent in 1664, necessarily interfered with the language, as
well as the customs and manners of the people. The records con-
tinued for twenty years after that event, to be written mostly in
Dutch ; but in 1686 they were required to be kept in English. The
Dutch, however, was the oral language of the city for many years
after, and the records themselves bear evidence of the transition
the language was undergoing, by the mixture of English and Dutch
words and phraseology. The following glossary may be useful, so
far as it goes, to such as are not conversant with the literature of
Albany nearly two centuries ago.
Beverskill, now known as the Buttermilk creek, and long since ob-
literated below Grand street, being conducted into the
river by a sewer.
268 The City Records.
Blockhuijse, for the locations of the blockhouses as they existed at
this time, see diagram, vol. 1, 136.
Brant hout, fire-wood.
Brant leere, fire-ladders.
Brant haeken, fire-hooks.
City Hall, occupied the present site of Commercial Building, corner
of Broadway and Hudson street.
Gilder, gl.,f, a Dutch coin, value nearly forty cents.
Luijtersekerk, Lutheran Church, which occupied the site of the City
Building cor. Howard and Pearl streets. (See vol. i, 124).
Leijsler's time, Jacob Leisler, an elderly and respected merchant,
who raised the standard of William and protestantism,
in 1689, and governed the province by the choice of the
freeholders of New York and the authority of the- English
ministry for nearly two years, was very unjustly exe-
cuted as a traitor, March 16, 1691. The mayor and com-
mon council of Albany were opposed to his administra-
tion.
Maquaas river, the Mohawk river.
Maijs, maize, Indian corn.
Oyr 8 , others.
Parrett, Pearl street.
Pleijn, the Plain was the flat ground between Broadway and South-
Pearl street below Beaver. At the beginning of the pre-
sent century even, there were but few buildings erected
upon it. The lot of the Presbyterian Church, corner of
Beaver and South Pearl streets now Beaver Block (1869),
is described in the deed, dated 1792 (see vol. i, 132), as
being " on the plains."
Piece 0/8, ps. 0/8, one dollar, consisting of 8 pieces of 12| cents.
PL Plentive, plaintiff.
Ratel Watch, night watch, furnished with a peculiar instrument
for giving alarm.
Revolutions, the ten years which these minutes embrace was a pe-
riod of frequent changes in the government, which pro-
duced constant trouble and excitement in the province.
Rideing, drawing, or transporting by land.
Rom, rum.
RuttenJdll, had its head springs above Lark street, and passed
down what was since called the Hudson street ravine
(see vol. i, 146, 158). Its ancient bed, since the ravine
was filled up, passes down Hudson and Beaver streets,
crossing Pearl street at the centre of the Beaver Block,
and enters the Basin near the State street bridge.
Skepel, (schepel, bushel) three pecks English measure.
Somme, sum.
Sopus, (Esopus) Kingston.
Sout, salt.
Speck, pork.
Stadt Huijse, City Hall.
The City Records. 269
Stuyver, St., a Dutch coin, value nearly two cents.
Stockadoes, a style of fortification, consisting of upright posts, by
wfcich the city was protected against the attacks of the
Indians.
Taptoo, (tattoo) beat of drum at night for soldiers to retire to their
quarters in garrison.
Toties quoties, as often as one, so often the other. Webster.
Wendell's Mills, Buttermilk falls.
Wampum, small beads made of different colored shells, used by the
North American Indians as money, and also wrought into
belts, etc., as an ornament. Trwribull.
Ye, the.
Yt, that.
Tm, them.
Tr, their.
Zewant, see Wampum.
169. Before the new style was adopted in 1752, there was much
confusion respecting dates, particularly in regard to the months of
January and February. Some writers began the year in January ,
and others in March. The difficulty was to determine whether
January and February closed an old year, or began a new one. It
became necessary to have some mode, by which it might be known
to what year January and February belonged, whenever these
months were mentioned. For this purpose the following method
was adopted : during January and February, and to the 22d of
March, the year was thus marked, 1716-17, or 17^f, meaning, that
by the ancient mode of calculating, the month mentioned belonged
to the year 1716 ; but, by the new calculation, to the year 1717.
After the 22d of March there was no difficulty ; for by both calcu-
lations, the succeeding months were included in the new year.
270 Convention on the State of the Province.
CONVENTION ON THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE.
1664.
One after another the Dutch had now abandoned every
point their enemies had assailed. The Connecticut river
was gone, Westchester was relinquished, and, now, New-
town, Flushing, Gemeco, Heemstede and Gravesend were
surrendered. It was at this gloomy conjuncture, when it
became evident that the country was held only on suffer-
ance, and authority felt itself utterly powerless, that the
principle of popular representation was, for the first time,
fully recognized in this province. At the request of the
burgomasters and schepens, a general assembly of delegates
from the several towns was convoked, to take into considera-
tion the state of the province. This important meeting was
held in the city hall of New Amsterdam, and the members
then in attendance were :
Cornelius Steenwyk, Jacob Bakker, New Amsterdam;
Jeremias van Rensselaer, Dirck van Schelluyne, Rensselaers-
wyk; Jan Verbeek, Gerrit Slechtenhorst, Fort Orange;
Thomas Chambers, Gysbert van Imbroeck, Wiltwyck ; Dan-
iel Terneur, Johannis Verveeler, New Haerlem ; David de
Marest, Pierre Billou, Staten Island; Wm. Bredenbent,
Albert Corn. Wantenaar, Breukelen; Jan Strycker, Wm.
Guilliams, Midwout; Elbert Elbertsen, Coert Stevensen,
Amersfoort; David Jochemsen, Cornells Beekman, New
Utrecht; Jan van Cleef, Gysbert Teunissen, Boswyck;
Engelbert Steenhuysen, Herman Smeeman, Bergen.
The first question which engaged the attention of this
assembly was that of the presidency. New Amsterdam
claimed the honor as the capital; Rensselaerswyck as the
oldest colonie. The right of the latter was admitted, and
the Honorable Jeremias van Rensselaer took the chair un-
der protest. The convention then demanded of the govern-
ment, protection against the Indians and " the malignant
English." If it were not able to afford such protection,
they wished to be informed to whom they were to address
Convention on the State of the Province. 271
themselves. The inhabitants of New Netherland, the di-
rector-general insisted, had never contributed to the sup-
port or defense of the province. On the contrary, the
West India Company had expended the sum of twelve
hundred thousand guilders over and above the customs,
excise, revenue of the weigh-scale and tithes. Danger
impended now over the country from two points the
Indians and the English. He wished the convention to de-
cide if the war should be continued, or peace made with the
former. If war were decided on, should the allies of the
Indians also be included ? Should the English summon the
country to surrender, were they to be resisted ? If so, by
what force? Was every sixth man to be enrolled? Over
two hundred men besides the soldiers were required. He
proposed a tax on mills and cattle. Were supplies refused,
the military force now under pay would be reduced.
The political system which commercial monopoly had so
long been endeavoring to construct, collapsed at the moment
when its powers were tested. The convention refused sup-
plies, and adjourned for a weak to consider the propriety of
again appealing to the home authorities.
When the convention reassembled, the director and
council immediately laid the above information before it.
All further remonstrance to the West India Company was
now considered unnecessary, and the assembly proceeded to
deliberate on the measures proper to be adopted towards
the Indians and the English towns. It was found useless
to attempt to execute the orders of the Directors in regard
to the latter. "The English rebels were as six to one;
and with aid from Hartford would easily overcome and
massacre the few Dutch soldiers that could be brought
against them." It would be impossible to subdue them.
The province would be thrown at once into their hands, or
delivered up a prey to the savages. These were disposed
for peace, and the situation of the province rendered it
desirable that a treaty be concluded, for it was discovered
that the English of Connecticut were tampering with
them. 0' Callaghan's Hist. N. Neth. } n, p. 505.
272 Philip Pietersen Schuyler.
PHILIP PIETERSEN SCHUYLER.
This was the first of the Schuyler family who settled in
this country. He came from Amsterdam to America in
1650, and was married on the 22d December of that year, to
Margritta van Slechtenhorst, aged 22, daughter of the Di-
rector of Rensselaerswyck, by Anthonie de Hooges the secre-
tary of the colonie, " in presence of the officers both of Fort
Orange and Rensselaerwyck, and of some of the principal
inhabitants thereof." By this lady he had ten children, viz :
Gruysbert, G-ertrude, (who married Stephanus van Cortland;)
Alida, (who married, first, Rev. Nicholas van Rensselaer,
second Robert Livingston ; ) Pieter, Brant, Arent, Sybilla,
(died aged four weeks,) Philip, Johannes and Margritta.
Peter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, John, the
youngest son, held a captain's commission in 1690, when he
led an expedition into Canada, and penetrated as far as La
Prairie, being then only twenty-two years of age. He
possessed great influence among the Indians, and is referred
to frequently in La Potherie's History of North America.
His grandson, G-eneral Philip Schuyler, occupies too high a
place in the history of this state, to need further remark
here. Philip Pietersen Schuyler died at Albany, on the
9th March, 1683-4, and was buried on the llth of the same
month in the church of that place, then situated at the
junction of State street on Broadway. His will bears date
Tuesday evening, 1st May, 1683, 0. S. 0' Cattaghan's
Hist. M. Neth., ii, 177.
Commission of Gerrit Swart. 273
COMMISSION OF GERRIT SWART, OF RENSSELAERS-
WYCK.
From the Kensselaerswyck Manuscripts. 1
Jan van Rensselaer, hereditary Patroon, and the Codirec-
tors of the Colonie named Rensselaerswyck, on the North
River in New Netherland, have accepted as their officer or
Schout, in the aforesaid Colonie, Gerrit Swart, who also
engages himself in that capacity to them, on the^following
conditions :
That he shall now proceed, with his wife, maid and ser-
vant, passage and board free, in the ship which shall be
provided for him, to the aforesaid Colonie, and exercise there
and fill the aforesaid office, and follow and punctually observe
the commission and instructions which shall now be given
herewith, together with those which shall from time to time
be sent, and conveyed to him by authority of the Patroon
and Codirectors.
He shall use for his dwelling, the house formerly used by
the former preacher, situate in Green Bush, and there reside
with his family; and exercise and discharge his aforesaid
office with all diligence and fidelity, according to the laws,
. edicts and ordinances already, or hereafter to be enacted
there..
He shall also, as is the duty of an obedient officer, be and
remain subject to all laws, ordinances, and edicts already
made, or hereafter to be made by the "Patroon and Codirectors.
Likewise, on condition that the officer there shall not
trade nor barter, directly nor indirectly, by himself or others
under any pretext.
And the aforesaid Gerrit Swart shall receive yearly for
his wages, to be paid there by the Commissioners, the sum
of four hundred guilders, for which he shall support himself
in all things. He shall, moreover, receive all fines and
penalties amounting to ten guilders or under, but on all
exceeding that sum, he shall retain a just third part.
O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, u, 564.
274 Commission of Gerrit Swart.
And all this for the term of three years certain, commenc-
ing when he shall have arrived in that country ; provided
that the Patroon and Codirectors reserve to themselves to
abridge the aforesaid term, and discontinue the service
whenever it shall so please them, without being obliged to
give any reasons, nor to convey back either him or his family.
On which condition was here furnished him the said officer
Schout, in cash, the sum of three hundred Carolus guilders,
which shall be deducted frpm his first earned wages. [Note
in original : " This article was altered by the Patroon and
Godirectors" ;]
Finally, when circumstances demand, the Commissioners
there shall accord to him a servant.
All which points are agreed to, the aforesaid Grerrit Swart
promising to acquit himself in his office honorably, faithfully
and honestly, and perform his trust so 4hat neither the Pa-
troon nor Codirectors nor their Commissioners in that quarter,
shall have any reason to complain, pledging thereunto his
person and goods having and to have ; submitting all them
and the choice thereof to the judgment of all courts and
magistrates, and specially to the jurisdiction of the Court of
the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck.
In testimony of all which, is this, by the parties, under-
signed. In Amsterdam, the 24 April, 1652. to the know-
ledge of the subscribing Notary Public, residing within the
aforesaid city, duly admitted by the Court of Holland. Was
by their respective hands signed Johan van Rensselaer,
Griacomo Bissel, for the Codirectors : G- Swart.
J. YAN DE VEN, NOTARY.
Instructions drawn up by Johan van Rensselaer, Patroon
and Codirector of the Colonie called Rensselaer s-wyck,
for Gerrit Swart as officer of the said Colonie, according
to which he shall, in all good faith, regulate himself.
Having arrived with God's help at the island of Manhat-
tans, he shall proceed by the first opportunity to the Colonie,
and report himself to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, and make
known unto him his quality, by exhibition of his Commis-
sion and Instructions.
He shall, above all things, take care that divine worship
shall be maintained in said Colonie, conformably to the re-
Commission of Gerrit Swart. 275
formed religion of this country, as the same is publicly
taught in these United Provinces.
He shall, in like manner, pay attention that the Lord's
day, the Sabbath of the New Testament, be properly respect-
ed both by the observance of hearing the Holy Word, . as
well as the preventing all unnecessary and daily labor on
said day.
And whereas, it -is a scandal, that the Christians should
mingle themselves unlawfully with the wives or daughters
of heathens, the officer shall labor to put in execution the
placards and ordinances enacted or to be enacted against the
same, and strictly exact the fines imposed thereby, without
any dissimulation.
He shall consequently be ex officio a party or attorney in
all matters thereunto necessary, .before our court of justice
resident in the aforesaid Colonie, in which he shall have
free access and seat, but no vote.
The conducting of all criminal suits, their institution, exe-
cution, description and final prosecution,' as he shall deem
consistent with his recorded oath, shall therefore be in his
name ; it being well understood that he shall commence no
suit relating to our jurisdiction, domain, or finance, except
by order of our Commissaries.
And he shall prosecute no man criminally, or cause him
to be apprehended unless on previous information, and this
he shall not himself take except by order aforesaid, or un-
less he be on the spot when the offence is committed, and
the delinquent be arrested in the act.
He shall in taking information, conduct himself honor-
ably and uprighteously, and describe the affair with all
circumstances most fully, in order to record in writing the
clearest and purest truth concerning the same, as well the
grounds of defence on the part of the prisoners and accused
persons, as of their accusation, provided that what most par-
ticularly relates to the service of the Patroonship be first of
all inquired into.
He shall sedulously cause the placards, ordinances, reso-
lutions, contracts and commands of the Patrodn and Codi-
rectors to be observed, and atte'nd that nothing be done
contrary thereto.
And in order that he may be more free in every regard,
he shall not be allowed to accept any presents, pensions or
276 Commission of Gerrit Swart.
gifts from any person whatsoever, nor compound or agree in
any criminal matter, but prosecute all according to law, and
content himself with the fines and penalties which shall be
adjudicated to him.
He shall likewise take care that in matters entailing
confiscation of life or property, the judges shall be qualified
to the number of at least five, and also see that the same
rule be followed whenever courts of criminal jurisdiction
shall be held.
Copies of the judgments with the information either
sent to, or taken and obtained by him, shall be forwarded
hither in the first sailing ship, and all judicial acts shall be
so recorded, that whoever need, may be able to be vindi-
cated here.
Care shall also be taken that no prisoners confined with
the knowledge of our Court aforesaid, shall remain long in
jail at the expense of the colonie, without special cause, but
they shall be prosecuted so expeditiously that their business
shall be dispatched, and with that view, shall the Court
aforesaid be advised as frequently as possible what prisoners
are in custody at his instance or otherwise, and on what
charge.
In fine, he shall be holden to conduct himself always
diligently and faithfully as a good officer is bound to do, on
such stipend as is allowed by contract to him.
And for the better dispatch and discharge of this his
office and duty, the Secretary of our Court shall draft the
preparatory or introductory acts of information, and all
other preceding matters and minutes in judicio, and more-
over whatever shall be necessary for the performance of
his office which we hereby order.
The sworn marshal appointed by the Commissaries, he
shall also 'employ to serve all citations and summonses, in
which he is not a party.
He shall further be bound to have these Instructions and
Commission enregistered by the Secretary of the Commis-
saries.
Finally, in all matters relating to his office not specified
herein, and which cannot admit of delay, or await the Pa-
troon's and Codirector's advice, he shall act on the resolve
of the Commissaries and Court, and advise the patroon and
A Governor's Marriage License, 1732. 277
Co-directors thereof, by the first opportunity, so that suit-
able order may be taken thereupon.
And all this provisionally, the Patroon and Co-directors
reserving unto themselves, to augment, diminish, correct
this Instruction according to circumstances, or therein
otherwise order as shall be found proper. Thus done and
concluded in Amsterdam, this 8th May, 1652.
Johan van Rensselaer,
Johan de Laet, for the Co-directors.
0' Callaghan's Hist. N. Netherland.
A GOVERNOR'S MARRIAGE LICENSE, 1733.
By his Excellency William Cosby Esq., captain general and
governor in chief of the provinces of New York, New
Jersey, and territories thereon depending, in America,
vice-admiral of the same, and colonel in his majesty's
army, &c.
To any Protestant Minister:
Whereas there is a mutual purpose of marriage between
Jacob Glenn of the City of Albany, merchant, of the one
party, and Elizabeth Cuyler of the same city, spinster of
the other party, for which they have desired my licence,
and have given bond upon conditions, that neither of them
have any lawful let or impediment or pre-contract affinity,
or consanguinity to hinder their being joined in the holy
bands of matrimony; these are therefore to authorize and
empower you to join the said Jacob Glenn and Elizabeth
Cuyler in the holy bands of matrimony, and them to pro-
nounce man and wife.
Given under my hand and prerogative seal at Ft. George
in New York, the 16th day of October, in the sixth
year of the reign of our sovereign lord, GEORGE the
Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France
and Ireland, King, defender of the faith. Anno Do-
mini 1732. W. COSBY.
HENDK. MORRIS, D. Sec.
Annals, ii. 24
278 Indian Disturbances.
INDIAN DISTURBANCES.
On the 7th June, 1663, the Indians made an attack upon
the unsuspecting village of Esopus (Kingston), and de-
stroyed the place, committing their accustomed barbarities-
upon the inhabitants. The director and council, on receiv-
ing intelligence of this catastrophe, dispatched forthwith
Councillor de Decker to Fort Orange to raise volunteers,
call out the Mohawks and Senecas, and finally obtain, if
possible, a loan to aid the necessities of the government.
A proclamation was next issued inviting the colonists in and
around the Manhattans to enlist, who were further encouraged
to come forward by the usual promise of plunder, as well as
by the assurance that every Indian, taken in the war, should
be the prize of his captor. In addition to these, each volun-
teer was to receive soldier's pay, a gratuity ranging from
four hundred to one thousand guilders if maimed, and be
entitled to exemption from chimney tax and tithes for the
term of six years. But, though General Stuyvesant visited
Heemstede in person, and sent agents through the other
villages, no more than half a dozen Englishmen enrolled
themselves, the leaders of their towns having discountenanced
the project. Treaties were again renewed with the River
tribes, and forty-six Marespink savages were engaged to
accompany the troops to the Esopus. Captain Martin Kry-
gier, an old and experienced officer, was placed in command
of the expedition, under whom Lieutenants Pieter W. van
Couwenhoven, Nicolas Stillwell, and Ensign Samuel Edsal
also received commissions.
The news of the massacre caused no less a sensation at
Beverwyck than at New Amsterdam ; for the inhabitants
in that quarter were more exposed, by their frontier position,
and the Senecas and Minquaas were now waging a bloody
war. Efforts were, therefore, made to put Fort Orange in
a thorough state of defence, 1 and ancient treaties were re-
1 Fort Orange, at this period, had four points, on each of which
there were two pieces of cannon. It had besides a twelve pounder
The FiiycL 279
newed with the neighboring tribes ; but so great was the
alarm that the out-settlers fled for protection to the fort called
Cralo, erected on the Patroon's farm at Greenbush, where
they held, night and day, regular watch and ward. In this
panic the country was abandoned or miles around. " No-
thing, " says Jeremias van Rensselaer in one of his letters," is
talked of but war, for no one can distinguish friend from
foe."0'Cattayhan's Hist. New Netherland.
THE FUYCK The earliest name of the hamlet which was
gathered on the site of the city of Albany, is called in the
Rensselaerswyck manuscripts, The Fuyck, or Beversfuyck,
which signifies a hoop-net, and takes its name from the
formation of the shore of the river. The earliest mention I
have met, says Dr. O'Callaghan, of Beverswyck or Bever-
wyck, as the name is indifferently written, was in a minute,
dated 1634, the original of which was on a small, almost
illegible scrap of paper which I found accidentally among
the above manuscripts. That the Dutch continued to call
Albany the Fuyck, long after the surrender of the country
to the English, is evident from letters among the Rensselaers-
wyck manuscripts. " De huysen in de Fuyck " is an ex-
pression in one of S. van Cortlandt's letters, dated N. Yorck,
20th April, 1681, as well as in several others of an anterior
date.
In Danker s and Sluyter's Journal, published by 'the Long
Island Historical Society, it is said that Albany " was for-
merly named the Fuyck on account of two rows of houses
standing there opposite to each other; which being wide
enough apart at the beginning finally ran quite together like
a fuyck." J There is now no conformation of any street
that would answer to this description but Broadway between
State and Steuben streets.
on a carriage. The village of Beverwyck was enclosed by a board
fence, which was defended by three pieces of artillery loaned by
Mr. Van Rensselaer in 1656, and placed on the church. Alb. Rec.
VI, 388, 415, 416.
1 Pronounced fowk, that is, a hoop net.
280 Form of Oath to the Patroon.
FORM OF OATH TO THE PATROON.
The following is the form of oath of allegiance to the
patroon and co-directors, taken by the colonists. It is
from a manuscript found by Dr. O'Callaghan among the
papers in the patroon's office, and translated by him for
his History of New Netherlands.
" I, N. N., promise and swear that I shall be true and
faithful to the noble Patroon and Co-directors, or those who
represent them here, and to the Hon'ble Director, Commis-
sioners and Council, subjecting myself to the Court of the
Colonie ; and I promise to demean myself as a good and faith-
ful inhabitant or Burgher, without exciting any opposition,
tumult or noise ; but on the contrary, as a loyal Inhabitant,
to maintain and support offensively and defensively, against
every one, the Right and Jurisdiction of the Colonie. And
with reverence and fear of the Lord, and uplifting of both
the first fingers of the right hand, I say So Truly help me
God almighty."
This date, 15th July, 1649, hath Steven Jansen carpenter
taken the Oath of allegiance from the hands of the Honor-
able Director before the commissioners of the colonie. Wit-
ness, A. de Hooges, Secretary.
23d Nov., 1651. Resolved, that all Householders and
Freemen of this Colonie shall appear on the 28th day of
November of this year, being Tuesday, at the house of the
Honorable Director, and there take the Burgerlyke oath of
Allegiance.
The following persons have taken the oath at the ap-
pointed time, according to the foregoing formulary : Mon'r
Arendt van Curler, Mons'r Johan Baptist van Rensselaer,
Pieter Hartgers, Jan Verbeeck, Sander Leendertsz, (Glen,)
Oysbert Cornelisz. van Weesp, Willem Fredericksz, Jan
Michelz, Rutger Jacobszen, Goosen Gerritz, Andries Her-
bertsz, Cornelis Cornelisz. Vos, Jan van Hoesem, Jan Tho-
niasz, Pieter Bronck, Jacob Jansz. van Nostrandt, Harmen
Bastiaensz, Teunis Cornelisz, Jacob Adriaensz. Raedmacker,
Teunis Jacobsz, Rutger Adriaensz, Casper Jacobsz, Abra-
Game. 281
ham Pietersz. Vosburg, Thomas Jansz, Everardus Sansz,
Adriaen Pietersz van Alkmaer, Jochim Wessels Backer,
Jacob Luyersz, Thomas Sandersz Smith, Evert Pels,
Hendricksz. Verbeeck, [One name defaced here,] Yan
Es, Hendrick Westercamp, Thomas Keuningh, Cornelia
Segersz, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Voorhout, Jan Kyersz,
Jan Helms, Aert Jacobsz, G-uysbert Cornelisz. aende Berg,
Evert Jansen Kleermaker, Dirck Jansen Croon, Jacob Sim-
mons Klomp, Volcker Jansz. 21st May, 1653. 0' Call.
Hist. N. Neih., n, 176.
GAME. The creeks running through the settlements, as
well as the river in front, abounded with fish ; the woods
with deer and other game. Pike and sturgeon were caught
in the Fourth, or Fox creek, and one of the latter could be
bought for a knife. " The year before I came here," (1641),
writes the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, " there were so many
turkeys and deer that they came to the house and hogpens
to feed, and were taken by the Indians with so little trouble,
that a deer was sold to the Dutch for a loaf of bread, or a
knife, or even a tobacco pipe." Hist. N. Netherland.
282
List of Freeholders.
LIST OF FREEHOLDERS IN THE CITY OF ALBANY
AND MANOR OF RENSSELAERSWYCK.
From a Manuscript in the office of the Secretary of State.
1742.
FIRST WARD.
Evert Wendell,
Johannes D. Foreest,
Nicholas Vandenbergh,
Luykas Gerritse Wyn-
Volkert Douw, Jun.,
Joseph Van Sante,
gaert,
John Beasley,
David Van Sante,
Isaac Wendell,
Johannes Schuyler,
Robert Lansing,
Edward Holland,
Abraham Van Derpool,
Johannes Kidney,
Anthony S. Van Schaick,
Edward Collins,
Isaac Lansing,
John DePeyster,
Myndert Schuyler,
Luykas Hoogkerck,
Lambert Ratliff,
William Helling,
Henderick Hallenbeeck,
Isaac Staats,
Garrit Van Sante,
Johannes Radlif,
Jacob C. Ten Eyck,
Nicholas Van Woort,
Manas Garlan,
Thomas Williams,
Benja. Bogart,
John Savage,
Joseph Gates,
Jacob Roseboom,
Egbert Brat,
William Hilton,
Isaac Fryer,
Bernardus Brat,
William Hogan,
Johannes Van Alen,
Peter Ryckman,
Tobias Ryckman,
Roelif Kidney,
Jacobus Ratlif,
Cornelius Van Dyck,
Harman Ryckman,
Jonathan Brooks,
Johannes Lansing,
Luykas Wyngaert,
Ryer Gerritse,
Garrit Van Benthusen,
Johannes Myndertse,
Isaac Bogert,
Johannes Wyngaert,
Andries Brat,
Robert Barret, Jun.,
Johannes Van der Hey-
Petrus van den Bergh,
William Hilton, Jun.,
den,
Johannes Gerr'se Lan-
Johannes Seager,
Sybrant Van Schaick, Jr
Sybrant Goose Van
sing,
Egbert Egbertse,
Evert Saxbury,
Richard Hilton,
Schaick,
William Hogan, Jun.,
Jacobus Hilton,
Gerrit Brat,
Jillis D. Garius,
John Heatoii,
Antlesius Bogardus,
Stephen Rensselaer,
Dirk Hun,
Johannes Flensburgh,
Jacobus Kidney,
William Waldron,
Ulderick Van Vranken,
Nicholas Van Schaick,
Obadiah Cooper,
Johannes Ten Broeck,
Johannes Marselis,
Johannes Van Sante,
Anthony Koster,
Johannes Van Vechten,
Volkert Douw,
Thomas Sharpe,
Jr.,
Thomas Wilkinson.
Philip Livingstone,
SECOND WARD.
Harmanus Wendell,
Abraham Cnyler,
Gulian Verplanck,
Christopher Yates,
Nicholas Bleeker,
Rutger Bleecker,
Luykas Job's Wyngaert,
Hendrick Bleeker,
Johannes Cuyler,
Schebolet Bogardus,
Ephraim Wendell,
David van der Heyden,
Hendrick Roseboom,
Johannes Garius,
Johannes Roseboom, Jr.
Isaac Kip,
David Groesbeeck,
Nicholas Bleeker, Jr.,
Gerrit Lansing,
John Beekman,
Anthony Van Schaick,
Cornelius Cuyler,
Benja. Egbertse,
Bernardus Harsen,
James Stevenson.
Hans Hansen,
Nicholas Fonda,
Jacob Ten Evck,
Douwe Fonda, son of
Hendrick M. Roseboom,
Michael Bass'et,
John Fonda,
Johannes Lansing, Jun.,
Jacob Cornelius Scher-
Christian Schaus,
Teleman Van Schelluyne,
merhorn,
James Stenhouse,
William Van Schelluyne,
Johannes Vinhagen,
Harpert Van Deusen,
Abraham Lansing,
Abraham Lansing, Jr.,
Johannes Van Schel-
luyne,
Garrit Marselis,
Garrit Roseboom,
Harmanus Van Schel-
Dirk Van Schelluyne,
Barent Sanders,
Myndert Van leveren,
Johannes Hogan,
Johannes Bleecker,
Jacob Glen, Jun.,
luyne,
Johannes Roseboom,
Cornelius Ten Broeck.
Stephanas Groesbeck,
Hendrick Ten Eyck,
List of Freeholders.
283
THIRD WARD.
Henry Holland,
Johannes W. Quacken-
Teunis Visscher,
Hendrick D. Ridder,
boss,
Abraham E. Wendell,
Garrit Van Ness,
Cornelius Bogert,
Anthony Brat,
Ahasuerus Roseboom,
Gysbert van den Bergh,
John Maase,
Abraham Bogert,
Gerrit Lansing,
Cornelius Maase,
Johannes Hun,
Peter Bogert,
Barent Brat,
Leendert Gansevoort,
John Waters,
Johannes Visscher,
Simon Veeder,
Jacob Evertse,
Johannes Goewyck,
Thomas Floyd,
Coenraet Ten Eyck,
Gysbert Roseboom,
Jacob Bogert,
Jacob Vischer,
Jacob Lansing,
Richard Hansen,
William Winne,
Peter Winne,
Jacobus Schuyler,
Jesse DeForeest,
Abraham Douw,
Abraham Schuyler,
David A. Schuyler,
Solomon Goewyck,
Wilhelmus van den
Johannes Pruyn,
Jacob Muller,
Johannes A. Cuyler,
Bergh,
Samuel Pruyn,
William Rogers,
Isaac Greveraet,
Martin Beekman,
Robert Roseboom,
Dirk Ten Broeck,
Garrit C. van den Bergh,
Wynant Vandenbergh,
Tennise Evertse,
Adam Yates,
Elbert Gerritse,
Johannes Hansen,
Isaac Swits,
Johannes Evertse,
Abraham Witbeck,
Christopher Abeel,
Harmanus Vischer,
Harpert Van Deusen. Jr.
MANOR OF RENSSELAERWYCK.
Hendrick Lansing,
John Van Wie,
David D. Foreest,
Jonas Oothout,
Gerrit Van Wie,
Regnier Van leveren,
Jacob Lansing,
Daniel Winne,
Barent Van leveren,
Philip Schuyler,
Peter Schuyler,
Jeremiah Schuyler,
Rensselaer Nicoll,
Hendrick Van Wie,
David Verplanck,
Aerje Oothout,
John Ren sselaer,
William Rensselaer,
Jeremiah Van Rensse-
Samuel Coeyman,
Solomon Van Vechten,
laer,
Peter Coeyman,
Douwe Van Vechten,
Teunis Viele,
Volkert van den Bergh,
Coenraet Hoogteling,
William Hoogteling,
PeterDouw,
John Witbeeck,
Peter Van Woort,
William Van Alen,
Luykas Witbeeck,
Lodewick Cridel,
Johannes Slingerland,
Volkert Van Vechten,
Gerrit Willemse van den
Cornelius Slingerland,
Johannes Van Vechten,
Bergh,
Philip Luke,
Johannes Van Buren,
Sybraut Van Schaick,
Andries Gardenier,
Abraham Van Arnham,
Abraham Wyngaert,
Benjamin Winne,
Peter Fonda,
Hendrick Beekman,
Andries Huyck,
Abraham Van Valken-
Rutger Van Woort,
Myndert Marselis,
John Van Arnham,
A rent Corlaer,
burgh,
Jacob Schermerhorn,
Jacob Van Woort,
John Milton,
Johannes Schermerhorn,
Johannes Oothout,
Jacob Lansing, Jun.,
Wouter Barheydt,
Abraham Ouderkerck,
Isaac Viele,
Hendrick Bries,
Peter Quackenboss,
Cornelius van den Bergh,
Anthony Vanderzee,
John Van Ness,
Barent Martese Van Bu-
ren,
Jr.,
Cornelius Ouderkerck,
Evert Lansing,
Johannes Symense Vee-
Simon D. Ridder,
Barent Staats,
der,
Johannes Ouderkerck,
Johannes Van Valken-
Isaac Lagrange,
Jacobu s Lagrange,
John Miln,
Abraham Fonda,
Sybrant Quackenboss,
Johannes Lagrange,
burgh, >
Roelif Janse,
Hendrick Van Buren,
Kitchen Holland,
Barent Brat, Jun.,
Casper Plank,
Jacobus Holland,
Jacob van der Heyden,
Stephen Rensselaer,
Teunis Slingerland,
Hendrick Douw,
Matthiasvan derfleyden,
Matthias van den Bergh,
Rutger Van Woort,
Jacobus Rensselaer.
Gerrit van den Bergh,
284 Notes from the Newspapers. [1772.
NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
1771 to 1790.
The events given below are gathered almost entirely from
the newspapers. The locations of some of the principal
business men are given, who were in active life at the close
of the revolutionary war.
1771. The first printing office in Albany, respecting which
any information can now be gathered, was established in the
latter part of this year, by Alexander & James Robert-
son, who came up from New York for that purpose. Hence
Albany was the second place in the state of New York, into
which the art of printing was introduced.
The charter of the city was printed this year in the city
of New York, by Hugh Gaine, on a demy sheet, in quarto
form, of which a copy is preserved in the chamberlain's
office.
The Albany Gazette, the first newspaper printed in this
city, was commenced in November, by the Robertsons. It
was printed on a sheet less than a quarter the size of the
largest daily papers now printed here. It is not known when
this paper was discontinued, but its publication is supposed
to have ended at the breaking out of the revolutionary war,
as the publishers are known to have joined the royalists in
New York in 1776. A few copies of the paper are preserved
in the Albany Institute, which were presented to that insti-
tion by Rensselaer Westerlo, Esq. The volume containing
the charter just alluded to, contains also a collection of the
city ordinances, printed to match, by the Robertsons, in
1773.
1772. Jan. 13. The printers of the Gazette, "from
motives of gratitude and duty, are obliged to apologize to the
public for the omission of one week's publication ; and hope
that the irregularity of the mail from New York since the
first great fall of snow, and the severe cold preceding Christ-
mas, which froze the paper prepared for the press, so as to
put a stop to its operation, will sufficiently account for it."
1782.] Notes from the Newspapers. 285
March. A lottery was advertised to be drawn for the
benefit of the Reformed German Church in Albany. (See
Annals, vol. I, p. 128.)
Among the advertisers in the Gazette is the firm of James
Gourlay & Co., " in Cheapside street, next door to the
King's Arms." Cheapside street is now Green street, and
the Kings Arms tavern was on the north-west corner
of Green and Beaver streets, adjoining what was well known
in the first quarter of this century as the Old Stone House.
On the breaking out of the war of the revolution, the sign,
which bore the device of the king's arms, was forced off by a
party, one night, and burnt in State street.
A noted merchant of the day, Thomas Barry, " near
the Dutch Church," also enumerates his stock, occupying
nearly a column of the paper with a catalogue of goods with
names which sound quite odd at this day ; for instance,
" none-so-pretty of various colors, and black breeches
patterns."
July 20. The governor of the .province, Gen. Tryon.
visited the city, on which occasion the corporation gave a
public dinner at Cartwright's Tavern (vol. i. 290).
A meteorological table appeared in the Gazette occasion-
ally.
A book store was kept by Stuart "Wilson, an Irishman,
at the elm tree corner of State and Pearl streets, in a Dutch
house which was afterwards converted into the Blue Belle
tavern, the last keeper of which was the late Spencer
Stafford's father.
1779. Captain Machin was engaged in taking a water
level between Albany and Schcnectady, with a view to the
supply of this city with water by means of an aqueduct. He
submitted a plan to the common council, with drawings to
show the manner in which an aqueduct and reservoir should
be constructed, as we learn by a notice of the same at a later
day.
1782. May. Messrs. Solomon Balentine and Charles
R. Webster published the first number of the New York
Gazetteer or Northern Intelligencer. The office file of this
paper was destroyed by the great fire of 1793, and the only
copies of it which are known to exist, are in the Albany In-
stitute.
Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
Sept. 30. A meeting of the creditors of the United
States in the state of New York, was held at the City Hall
in Albany, Philip Schuyler chairman; the object of which
was to lay their claims before the public, in an address, and
to suggest a general convention of deputies from the public
creditors of the states composing the union, to devise ways
and means of payment. (See vol. I, p. 282.)
1783. The Gazette was enlarged and Mr. Webster with- {
drew from it, and removed to New York. The paper was
continued by Mr. Balentine alone. Its publication is sup-
posed to have ceased in May, 1784.
Mr. Balentine published a Pocket Almanac, for the year
1784, which is the first work of the kind that is known to
have been issued in this city. A copy of it is preserved in
the State Library.
Lord Sterling died in Albany and was buried under the
Dutch church (?). An eulogium was written by John Lovett
upon his character, and published. 1
1784. May 28. Charles R. Webster, of the late firm of
Balentine & Webster, published the first number of a new
paper, entitled The Albany Gazette, of which the State
Library contains the office file down to the time of its dis-
continuance in 1845, when it was the oldest paper in the
state, heing in its seventy-second year,
At this time the post office not only served for the city
and adjoining towns, but the lists of letters advertised con-
tain the names of persons in Orange and Dutchess counties,
Cherry Valley, and Vermont.
Robison & Hale, dealers in European and East India
goods, occupied the " north corner opposite the Dutch
Church," now the site of the Museum Building, which was
long kaown as Robison's corner. Maj. Hale is believed to
have been an officer of the revolution, and a much respected
citizen j but did not, like his partner, accquire wealth.
Jacob Van Schaick, " in Water street near the Middle
dock," publishes a long catalogue of articles under exceed-
ingly quaint titles.
Henry, McClallen & Henry, " next door north of the
City Hall," which was the site of Commercial Building,
1 Woodworth's Reminiscences of Troy.
23. Chancellor Lansing.
22. Sanders Lansing.
21. Dudley Walsh.
20. Andrew Brown.
19. Dr. Samuel Stringer.
18. Gen. John H. Wendell.
17. Barent Bleecker.
16. John Jacob Lansing.
15. Martin Beekman.
14. John Meads.
John Brinckerhoff,
Richard Lush.
1784.] Notes from the Newspapers. 287
present the most formidable array of goods, " adapted to all
seasons, in payment for which they will take cash, Morris's
and Hillegas's notes, wheat, corn, pease, flax seed, boards
and plank, and also all sorts of furs."
Dr. Samuel Stringer, " a little to the north of the Market
House/' gave notice that he had just imported from Europe
a general assortment of medicines, which he would " dis-
pose of at the New York advance/' by wholesale or retail
at his Medicinal Store. The Market House was opposite
Stanwix Hall in the centre of the street, and Dr. Stringer's
store was opposite Bleecker Hall.
John McClintock advertised that he would open a school
on the 14th June "in a lower apartment of that house
in which the printing office is at present held." This is
believed to have been on the south-west corner of Maiden
lane and James street.
At the annual election for members of legislature, the
following candidates were returned by a majority of votes
in the county : Dirk Swart, Peter W. Yates, Walter Living-
ston, Matthew Visscher, Christopher Yates, Abraham Beeker,
Matthew Adgate, Jacob Ford, John Younglove, Israel
Thompson.
Peter Van Ness was chosen senator.
John Blake advertised the usual variety of goods for
sale at Archibald Campbell's store opposite Hugh Dennis-
ton's. He soon after took a store u opposite the east end
of the Dutch Church."
Balch & Fryer opened a shop near the north gate, for the
purpose of carrying on the gold and silversmith's business.
The north gate at this time is believed to have been a little
above Columbia street in Broadway.
June. Gen. Schuyler was appointed by congress one of
the commissioners for treating with the Indians.
Roseboom & Co. sold all kinds of nails near the English
Church .
July 4. The anniversary of our independence was cele-
brated ; in the morning thirteen guns " were fired from
Fort Orange," and in the evening the city was illuminated.
Gerardus Beekman advertises a store nearly opposite
Wheeler Douglass's.
288 Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
July 14. Mons. Dulonpres from Paris, proposed to
open a school for dancing, " on the most moderate terms of
one guinea entrance and one guinea a quarter."
July 22. The governor of the state, and the Dutch am-
bassador, Haere P. J. Yan Berckel, arrived in the city,
and were received by the magistrates and citizens, and con-
ducted to the City Hall, under discharge of cannon. On
the following day the corporation gave their guests an
elegant entertainment at Lewis's Tavern.
July 23. Capt. John Fryer, "a worthy citizen," died,
aged 64, and was interred in the Dutch Church yard on the
following day.
Edward Cumpston, "at the north-east corner of the Dutch
Church," proposed to receive " new emission money of this
state equal to gold or silver," for goods.
Henry Hart had "a neat assortment of Dry and West
India G-oods at his store between the Low Dutch Church
and Market House."
Aug. The firm of James & Yail was dissolved, and
Thomas V. James assumed the business " at the store in the
street opposite the City Hall dock," or leading from the
dock, which is now Hudson street.
Aug. Grov. Clinton left Albany to attend the Indian treaty
to be held at Fort Schuyler, where the chiefs had already
begun to assemble.
Sept. 8. Nicholas Barrington opened a school at the house
opposite to Mr. Burgess's, " money being very scarce, at the
low prices of 10, 12 and 14s. per quarter, for spellers, writers
and Scypherers, and three pounds for bookkeeping and
navigation."
I. Button, " minister of the gospel in Albany," proposed
to print by subscription at Is. each, a sermon entitled Weak
Faith Strengthened. Those who subscribed for twelve were
to " have a thirteenth gratis." The work was issued in Janu-
ary, 1785.
Sept. 9. " Departed this life, at Nisqueunia, Sept. 1, Mrs.
Lee, known by the appellation of the Elect Lady, or Mother
of Zion, and head of that people called Shakers. Her
funeral is to be attended this day."
John W. Wendell, a few doors south of the City Hall,
manufactured all kinds of beveret, castor and felt hats, on
1784.] Notes from the Newspapers. 289
better terms than the importers can admit of. He was a
Bostonian.
Thomas Sickels sold European and India goods on the
south side of the street that leads from the Dutch to the
English Church (State street).
Oct. 21. The executors of Mrs. Margaret Schuyler, de-
ceased, offered " a likely negro wench" for sale by auction
at Lewis's Tavern.
Sept. 13. The governor and the commissioners of Indian
affairs for the state with a number of the citizens of Albany,
returned from Fort Schuyler, where a treaty bad been con-
cluded with the Six Nations and other Indians residing in
this state.
John Carey, offered at the store of Cornelise K. Van-
denberg, " at the elm tree in the street leading from the
Dutch to the" English Church," a quantity of goods which
are represented as just imported from Ireland.
Sept. 18. On this evening and the following (Sunday)
morning, Oliver Wolcott, Arthur Lee, and Richard Butler,
United States commissioners for Indian affairs, arrived in
the city, on their way to Fort Stanwix, to meet the Six
Nations. They gave notice that in order to avoid the ill
consequences and hindrance to public business which would
.naturally arise from the sale of spirituous liquors they
'would be wholly prohibited until the treaty closed. The
Marquis Lafayette was daily expected to accompany them.
George Reab, at his store in the house of Abraham Douw,
near the south-west corner of the Market, offered an assort-
ment of Dry and West India Goods, adapted to the season ,
in exchange for which he would take cash, R. Morris and
M. Hillegas's notes, new emission money, all sorts of public
securities; also flax seed, wheat, and all kinds of country
produce.
Saturday, Sept. 25, the United States commissioners to
treat with the Indians, having remained one week in Albany,
set out for Fort Schuyler. The goods intended for the
treaty left on Tuesday following, and Gren. Lafayette followed
about the 1st of October.
Sept. 29. At the close of the polls, the following citizens
were found to have been elected aldermen and assistants for
the ensuing year.
Annals, ii. 25
290 Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
1st ward. Peter W. Yates and Robert McClallen alder-
men ; Matthew Visscher and John W. Wendell, assistants.
2d ward. Philip Van Rensselaer, Peter W. Douw, alder-
men ; Richard Lush, Abraham Cuyler, assistants.
3d ward. Thomas Hun, John Ten Broeck, aldermen;
Leonard Gansevoort, Jun., Jellis Winne, assistants.
Oct. 1. Alexander Smith was committed to the city prison
for the " wilful murther of his brother, Isaac Smith," on
the 29th Sept., at Saratoga lake.
Oct. 7. The Marquis Lafayette returned from Fort Stan-
wix, and on the following morning, Friday, sat out for
Boston by the way of Hartford, to embark for France. He
arrived at Hartford on Monday. There was at this time
no other mode of crossing the mountain but on horseback.
Joseph Kelly, currier, lately arrived from Ireland, " opened
a shop at Capt. John RofFs, near the north gate, and will
have ready in a few days, good leather, boot legs, and Irish
Ben, of the best quality."
Oct. 18. Isaac Arnold and James Stewart returned from
a trading expedition to Detroit, having lost three of their
companions, Jacobus Taller, Daniel Barclay and Isaac Van
Alstyne, who were murdered by four Delaware Indians at a
landing place on Lake Erie.
Oct. 27. Samuel Thompson died.
Nov. 19. An annual fair for vending all kinds of cattle
was held in the city.
Nov. 8. The first copy of Webster's Calendar, or the
Albany Almanac for the year 1785, was ready for sale;
"containing, besides the usual calculations, many very in-
genious and entertaining pieces, both in prose and verse."
This Almanac has been published annually to the present
time.
Died, at Port Roseway, Nova Scotia, Alexander Robert-
son, one of the proprietors of the first paper printed in
Albany.
Nov. 5. Mrs. Lydia Bloodgood died, aged 22; wife of
William Bloodgood.
Nov. 10. Two of the principal hostages of the Six Nations
arrived from Fort Schuyler, under, passport from the com-
mander there ; to remain in custody until certain American
prisoners were delivered up.
Fac-ftmile of the Title Page of the Firfl Albany Almanac.
Poor NED's
ALBANY
ALMANACK,
FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
1783;
Being the THIRD after LEAP-YEAR,
AND THE EIGHTH OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
IN WHICH ARE CONTAINED,
The Motions of the SUN and MOON; the Rifing and Setting of the
Sun; the Rifmg and Setting of the Moon; the Eclipfes; Judgment
of the Weather; Time of High Water, &c.
ALSO,
The ARTICLES of the TREATY of ALLIANCE between FRANCE and
thefe UNITED STATES; an HISTORICAL ACCOUNT of the various
TRANSLATIONS of the HOLY B I BL E, into the ENGLISH
LANGUAGE; a SKETCH of the LIFE and CHARACTER of His
EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON ; a LIST of the
NAMES of the CIVIL OFFICERS in the City and County of AL-
BANY; with many ANECDOTS, odd SAYINGS, &c. &c. &c.
BY NED FORESIGHT, Gmt.
" See, fee HeavVs wide Expanfe from Pole to Pole !
" Each Land with Verdure cloths ! all Seas that rowl
" See this vaft Orb of Things with convex weight
" Thee beck'ning to adorn the fov'reign Seat ! "
ALBANY:
Printed and Sold by BALENTINE 5" WEBSTER.
1784.] Notes from the Newspapers. 291
Cornelius & John H. Wendell, opposite the post office,
near the Market house, imported goods " from London."
The post office was a few doors above Maiden lane, on the
east side of Market street, now Broadway. The post office
at this time is believed to have been kept by Abraham
Yates, afterwards mayor.
Cuyler, G-ansevoort & Co. "received by the last vessels
from London" an assortment of dry goods suitable for the
season ; and presented besides a catalogue of other goods,
which, like most of the advertisements of the day, began
with rum and ended with brass kettles. The stock of an
Albany merchant was truly multifarious.
Peter D. Van Dyck dealt in a general assortment of
goods opposite the south-east corner of the Butch Church.
Benjamin Wallace had " a neat assortment of West India
and dry goods at his shop a little north of the English
Church/'
James Doig, from Montreal, proposed to open a day and
evening school, at Mr. John Hooghkerk's corner house,
opposite to Thomas Barrett, cooper, near the Presbyterian
Meeting House. This is supposed to have been at the corner
of Hudson and G-rand streets.
Wendell & Trotter carried on business principally in tlry
goods, opposite the south-east corner of the City Hall.
William Gray dealt in dry goods and a general assortment,
between the Dutch Church and the Market House, near the
City Hotel.
Elbert Willett occupied the house now standing next
south of the Mansion House, which he sold to Mr David
Newland, for $11,000.
Dec. 21. A detachment of troops from Fort Stanwix, under
Capt. Lane, arrived in the city to remain during the winter,
bringing with them a number of captives which had been
liberated according to the terms of the treaty recently con-
cluded with the Indians.
Dec. 30. Dr. Alexander Edgar, a surgeon's mate in the
army, died and was buried in the Presbyterian burial-
place.
Mr. Paffane, lately arrived from France, carried on " the
muff and tippett making business, in the neatest manner,"
at the house of Hanse Home, near the north gate.
292 Notes from the Newspapers. [1785.
Teunis Ts. Van Vechten advertises Turks Island and
rock salt, " living near the south-west corner of the Market*
House." His house was the south-west corner of Broadway
and Maiden lane.
John Hinde offered a large invoice of cloths, at the house
of Mr. Hewson, adjoining the Low Dutch burying ground.
David Fonda, " next door to Gen. Ten Broek," kept dry
goods, groceries and liquors for sale.
John Bogart, next door south of the City Hall, sold mill
stones.
Abraham Eights, next door to Capt. Stewart Dean, in
Water street, sold Muscovado sugar by the barrel, and had
" a few excellent English wind-mills, for cleaning wheat/*
Anthony Helmer, at his store in the house of Harmanus
Wendell, opposite to Gen. Ten Broek' s, sold groceries,
German steel, " and a variety of other articles too tedious
to be mentioned."
Jacob Vander Heyden, in Pearl street, kept on sale,
Dutch mill sawa, groceries, and dry goods.
Abraham Bloodgood did business next to Denniston's
tavern, probably in the Stone House.
1785. The health of the city was very remarkable during
the winter, insomuch that but one burial took place in the
Dutch Church-yard, from the 9th December to the 10th
March, and that was of a small child accidentally run over
by a sleigh.
March 21. A person was arrested for passing counterfeit
state treasury notes, and lodged in the City Hall prison, to
await a trial.
April 20. Abraham Roseboom, a very respectable citizen,
died.
April 26. The annual election of two senators and ten
representatives to the state legislature, for the county of
Albany, resulted in the following vote.
For the House of Assembly.
John Lansing junior, .. 284
John Tayler, 302
Henry Glen, 281
John Livingston, 243
Peter Vrooman, . . '. 257
Abraham I.Van Alstyne, 213
Lawrence Hogeboom,. ., 216
James Gordon, 305
JamesVanSchoonhoven, 228
Isaac Vrooman, 24
Robert McClallen, 32
Elbert Willett, 5
1785.] Notes from the Newspapers. 293
Abraham Schuyler,.... 1
John Price, ..." 2
Richard Lush, 1
Jacob G. Lansing, 1
Leonard Bronck, 245
Matthew Visscher, 146
Peter W. Yates, 97
Jacob Ford, 23
Matthew Adgate, 24
Jacob C. Schermerhorn, 26
Israel Thompson, ...... 14
Abram Backer, 4
Edmund Wells, 14
Peter Swart, 1
William Powers, 1
Henry I. Van Rensselaer, 1
Thomas Hun, 2
Henry Quackenboss, ... 2
Stephen I. Schuyler, .... 2
Lucas Van Veghten, ... 1
For the Senate.
Philip Schuyler, 170 , Henry Oothout, 16
Volkert P. Douw, 165 | William B. Whitney, .. 12
Ivie Chambers, " at his store near the Low Dutch church,
on the west side of the main street," sold the usual articles
of a general store, principally liquors.
The session of the supreme court closed, when Petrus and
Christian Cooper being convicted of a robbery, and Christian
Loucks of horse stealing, received sentence of death respect-
ively. Two others, convicted of felony, were admitted to
benefit of clergy. One was whipped for petit larceny, and
two discharged by proclamation.
May 3. An election of city officers took place, which re-
sulted in the choice of the following :
First Ward. Robert McClallen, supervisor ; Peter Yan
Bergen, Bethuel Washburn, Edward Cumpton, assessors;
Marte Minderse, overseer of the poor; Abraham T. Yates,
Thomas Barrett, road masters.
. Second Ward. Jacob Cuyler, supervisor; Jacob Yan-
der Heyden, Casparus Pruyn, Richard Lush, assessors ;
John N. Bleecker, overseer of the poor ; Jacob Bleecker,
John Marselis, road masters.
Third Ward. Cornelius Wendell, supervisor; Peter
Gansevoort, Jun., Abraham A. Lansing, David Fonda, as-
sessors ; Isaac Yan Arnum, overseer of the poor ; Sanders
Lansing, Yolkert A. Douw, road masters ; Baltus Yan Ben-
thuysen, collector for the city.
Elihu Goodrich and John Ely opened a school "in
the house occupied by Michael Hollenbake," who had " left
keeping tavern." They taught Greek and Latin for 40s.
a quarter ; grammar, arithmetic and writing for 30s. ; read-
ing and spelling for 20s. The hours of study were from 6
294 Notes from the Newspapers. [1785.
to 8, and 9 to 12, in the forenoon; and from 2 to 5, and 6
to 8, in the afternoon. This to the magisters of our day,
may appear to have been a pretty thorough drilling of " the
young idea."
Alexander Laverty, "tayler from London," took the
house lately occupied by Henry Hart, in the back apart-
ment, where he carried on the " tayler's business as cheap
as any in town," and made payments easy to those who em-
ployed him. His prices were : for a coat 14s. ; lappelled
do, 16s. ; lappelled do, with slashed sleeves, 18s. ; vest and
breeches, 6s. 9d.
Elisha Crane, opposite the City Hall, sold cyder at 18s.
a barrel, and took boards, plank, staves, pease and any sort
of grain in payment. In a nota bene the public is informed
that money would not be refused.
June. A company of stage wagon proprietors undertook
to make the land passage between New York and Albany
" the most easy and agreeable as well as the most expedi-
tious," by performing the journey in two days, at 3d. a mile;
but in the fall, " for the ease of the passengers," the time
of performing the route was changed to three days, and the
price raised to 4d. a mile, " agreeably to act of assembly."
July 12. An ordinance was passed by the common coun-
cil for the extermination of dogs, all of whom were to be
killed in two days, under penalty of 8, which was to be
recovered for the benefit of any person prosecuting.
Nov. 8. The presbytery of New York ordained John
McDonald a minister of the gospel, and he was at the same
time installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Albany.
He was the third pastor of that church, and it was during
his ministry that the edifice was erected for that congrega-
tion on the corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets, the
site of Beaver Block.
Dee. 13. A company of comedians having leased the
old hospital, which stood near tne present site of the Lu-
theran Church, and having fitted it up as a theatre, opened
with Gross Purposes and Catharine and Petrucliio, between
which was a dance, La Polonaise, and a Eulogy on Free-
masonry. Tickets sold at Lewis's tavern, and no money
taken at the door. Boxes 8s. ; gallery 4s.
A vigorous effort was made to discontinue these perform-
ances, by a large and respectable part of community, but
1786.]
Notes from the Newspapers.
295
the common council determined by a vote of 9 to 4, that
they had no legal right to prohibit theatrical exhibitions in
the city. A whole number of the Gazette is taken up with
the controversy, to the exclusion of every other subject.
1785. January. By the post office arrangements of this
year, the New York mail arrived twice a week, Wednesdays
and Saturdays, at 8 o'clock P.M. ; and two hours after its
receipt, the down mail was made up and forwarded.
July 13. The Gazette was enlarged to a sheet 19 inches
by 23, which we learn was the largest size then printed in
America. In the same paper 'is announced the first part of
the Grammatical Institute, abridged, by Noah Webster, price
6 coppers, this day printed.
The sloop Experiment, 80 tons burden, was fitted out
at this port by Oapt. Stewart Dean, and sailed for China.
(See Annals, i).
1786. April 4. An act passed the legislature of the state
of New York, for erecting the south-east part of the county
of Albany into a new county, by the name of Columbia.
July 5. The supreme court closed its July session, when
Caleb Gardner, convicted of passing counterfeit Spanish
dollars, received sentence of death. Two weeks afterwards,
the sheriff advertised that the person then under sentence
of death in the City Hall would be hanged on Friday the
fifteenth of September ; and that any person willing to
undertake the execution, was desired to apply to the said
sheriff.
July 22. The corporation and citizens of Albany cele-
brated the centennial anniversary of the charter of the city
(See vol. i, 335).
The number of houses in Albany at this time was found,
by actual enumeration, to be 550. A statement of the num-
ber of houses in the principal cities and towns at this time,
will serve to show their relative proportions :
Philadelphia, 4,600 Wilmington, 400
New York, 3,500 Annapolis, 260
Boston, 2,100 Fredericktown, 400
Baltimore, 1,900 Alexandria (Va)., 300
Charleston (S. C.), 1,540 Richmond, 280
Albany, 550 Petersburg!!, 290
New Haven, 400 Williamsburgh, 230
Hartford, 300
296 Notes from the Newspapers. 1787.]
It will be seen that Albany was the sixth in point of
numbers. The census of Boston was found to be at that
time 14,640, exclusive of strangers, which gives seven per-
sons to a house. At this rate Albany would have had 3,850
inhabitants. To carry out the calculation, Philadelphia
would have contained 32,200, New York 24,500, Baltimore
13,300, Charleston 10,780. The number of stranger? might
have increased the estimate one-eighth.
1787. Jan. 1. The city authorities fixed the price of
flour at 18s. per hundred weight and the assize of bread at
the rate of lib. 12oz. for 4 coppers. In February, the
assize of bread was lib. 8oz. of superfine flour for 4 coppers,
and lib. lOoz. common ; flour, 20s. per cwt.
The population of the state at this time was 220,000
whites, 18,889 slaves, and 12 Indians who paid taxes. In
1756, the whole population was 83,233 ; in 1771, 148,124.
A nail manufactory was established in " Orange street,
near the High Dutch Church," by Garret Witbeck, who
manufactured 8s. and 10s. at Is. per lb., and 20s. and 24s. at
llrf. per lb. He claimed that they were fully equal in good-
ness to any imported, and hinted at the great importance of
encouraging such an establishment in this country. The
forging of nails, notwithstanding their prodigious consump-
tion in this country, wae, until 1810, a handicraft trade :
the machinery by which they are now produced is an Ame-
rican invention. In the same year, Stevenson, Douw & Ten
Eyck erected a similar establishment.
A correspondent of a New York paper, Dec., 1785, observed
that the infatuation which possessed many of the people
of this state for theatrical exhibitions was truly alarming.
That, strange to tell, the honest, sober Dutchmen of Albany,
who were once distinguished by industry and a laudable
parsimony, were now plunging into that very species of
luxury and folly, which stamps upon the metropolis an
indelible stigma. That it was still more observable and
wonderful to relate that even the fathers of that ancient
city had sanctioned the establishment of a public theatre,
by granting their permission to players. That in justice to
the magistrates of New York, it was necessary to say, that
though it was not in their power to prohibit, they had never
extended their authority so far. as to license the opening of
1788.] Notes from the Newspapers. 297
the theatre ; and if common fame could be credited, none
of them had countenanced the comedians by attending their
exhibition^.
April 22. The sloop Experiment, Capt. Dean, returned
from a -voyage to China, without the loss of a man during
the voyage. (See Annals, I, 261, 2d edition).
June 28. A regiment of militia was organized in the east-
ern part of the manor of Rensselaerswyck, under the com-
mand of Lieut. Col. John Van Rensselaer. The officers
took the oath of allegiance and office before Matthew Viss-
cher. clerk of the county of Albany : after which the regi-
ment was formed, and the militia law and the officers'
commissions were read by Adjutant Henry. At the same
time two companies of light infantry were formed, the
volunteers being so numerous as nearly to fill them in a
short time. The uniform of these companies is thus
described : The commissioned officers, dark blue coats, faced
with white, and white under clothes ; non-commissioned
officers and privates, a white linen hunting-shirt and overalls,
a round hat three inches in the brim, bound with white
tape, and covered with a piece of bearskin four inches wide
over the crown ; a good musket, bayonet and cartouch box,
twenty-four cartridges suitable to the bore of the musket,
two spare flints, one knapsack and blanket. .
Rev. John Bassett was ordained pastor of the Dutch Re-
formed Church, collegiate with the Rev. Dr. Eilardus West-
erlo.
August. The trustees of the Lutheran Church, recently
erected, acknowledged the receipt of donations to the amount
of 552 12s. 2d. more than 214 of which was obtained in
Albany and its vicinity. The total cost of the building was
640. (See vol. i, p. 154, 2d ed.).
1788. January, Leonard de Neufville l Jan Heefke and
Ferdinand Walf'ahrt, proprietors of the Dowesbourgh Glass
manufactory, ten miles from Albany, appeal to the patriot-
ism of the state of New York to sustain their establishment.
They say the state is annually drained of 30,000 for this
necessary article which they can manufacture of any size
superior to the English glass.
3 See Annals, x, 219.
298 Notes from the Newspapers. [1788.
The delegates nominated by the two parties for the con-
vention to decide on the federal constitution, were the fol-
lowing : Abraham Ten Broeck, Jacob Cuyler, Francis Nicoll,
Jeronemus Hoogland, Peter Gansevoort junior, James Gor-
don, John W. Schermerhoorn, Federal; Robert Yates. John
Lansing junior, Henry Oothoudt, Peter Vrooman, Israel
Thompson, Anthony Ten Eyck, Dirk Swart, Anti-federal.
Jan. 26. Charles R. and George Webster and Co., pub-
lished a quarto paper, called the Albany Journal, or Mont-
gomery, Washington, and Columbia Intelligencer, which was
published twice a week during the session of the legisla-
ture.
Feb. 11. Claxton and Babcock, lately from Lansingburgh,
published The Federal Herald. They returned to Lansing-
burgh the same year.
March 11. A law was passed by the legislature, authoriz-
ing the corporation to raise 2000 for the construction of a
new jail (the old one being found inadequate to the safe
custody of prisoners), and repairing the court-house. Clin-
ton county was taken from Albany county at this session of
the legislature.
May 27. The election of members of assembly terminated
in the success of the anti-federal party, and seem? to have
been the first party struggle growing out of the dissension
on the question of the constitution. The vote of the two
parties in the county of Albany, as canvassed on this day by
the supervisors, stood as follows. John Younglove seems
to have had the votes of both parties.
ANTI FEDERAL. FEDERAL.
Stephen VanRenselaer, . 1953
Leonard Gansevoort, 1888
Richard Sill 1877
HezekialiVanOrden, 1871
John Knickerbacker,... 1868
Isaac Vrooman, 1851
John Lansing, 3048
Jeremiah VanRensselaer, 3042
JohnDuncan, 2990
Cornells Vandyck. 3033
John Thompson, 3006
Henry K.VanRensselaer, 2911
John Younglove, 4807
The Albany Register was begun this year, by Robert
Barber.
The impolicy of imprisonment for debt is aptly illustrated
in the following case, where a rich and popular citizen
incarcerates a humble artisan for his inability to liquidate
1788.] Notes from the Newspapers.
his rent, who thereby becomes a charge upon the county,
and a defaulter to all the rest of his creditors.
" Whereas the subscriber (a master of shoemaking) is now
confined in the City Hall, upper loft, for twenty pounds
back rent which he is owing Gen. Schuyler ; and as he is
desirous of working for his living, and not to be chargeable
to the good people of this city, he therefore humbly requests
such of the citizens and others as are desirous of having
well made shoes on the most reasonable terms, to favor him
with their custom, and they may depend on being served on
the shortest notice, and every favor shall be thankfully ac-
knowledged by the public's humble hervant, THADDEUS
LAWRENCE."
Aug. 8. The city of Albany, not to be behind her sister
cities, set apart a day for public rejoicings, to celebrate the
ratification of the constitution of the United States by the
convention of the state of New York. Every trade and
profession seems to have united in the jubilee, with appro-
priate emblems, and formed a truly imposing procession
under the conduct of Gen. Schuyler. (See vol. I, 380).
November. The citizens were entertained with the extra-
ordinary sight of an ''uncommon bird," killed at Saratoga,
and sent down as a rarity. " The distance from the tip of
one wing to the other, when both were extended, was nine
feet two inches ; the mouth was large enough to contain the
head of a boy ten years of age, and the throat so capacious
as to admit the foot and leg of a man, boot and all." No
one could decide what species the stranger belonged to, till
the counsel of Dr. Mitchell of New York being called in, it
was decided to be a pelican ; perhaps the only one that ever
extended his discoveries to this region.
Peter Van Deusen and Jacob Van de Bilt established
for the convenience of the citizens, a soap and candle fac-
tory, which useful branch of business, they say in their
advertisement, had been long wanted in the city. To induce
the citizens to encourage these domestic manufactures, they
offer their articles at New York prices, thus making a
saving of freight and cartage; and further to promote
economy, manufactured for those who provided their own
tallow, at 2 pence per pound, and furnish the cotton wick
themselves.
300
Notes from the Newspapers.
[1789.
1789. Jan. 1. The thermometer at noon indicated 18
above zero ; and on the following morning, at six o'clock,
it was 24 below, being six degrees colder than it had ever
been known in the city.
Jan. 5. The freeholders of Vanderliey den's or Ashley's
Ferry, situate on the east bank of the Hudson river, about
seven miles above Albany, met for the purpose of establish-
ing a name for the place; when, by a majority of voices, it
was confirmed that in future it should be called and known
by the name of Troy. From its important state, and na-
tural advantages, it was anticipated "at no very distant
period to see Troy as famous for her trade and navigation
as many of our first towns." The journals of the legis-
lature for the session of 1789 were printed by S. and J.
Loudon, at the house of Mr. Thomas McMurry, in Barrack
(now Chapel) street, they being printers to the state.
May. The Albany Gazette, on entering upon its sixth
volume, began to be published twice a week The fol-
lowing is given in the Register, as a particular statement of
the votes of the several towns in Albany county for go-
vernor. The election was opened on the 28th April, for
governor, lieutenant governor, senators and assemblymen.
Towns.
G. Clinton. Yates.
Hoosick, 34 33
Saratoga, 14 67
Steventown, 21 173
Ballstown, 168 76
Katskill, 39 33
Watervliet, 50 294
Schenectady, 71 132
Schoharie, 129 30
Duanesburgh, ... 14 9
Towns.
Stillwater, 76
Cambridge, 100
Albany (3 wards), 55
Rensselaerwyck, . 23
Schaghticoke, ... 7
Halfmoon, 73
Cexsackie, 40
Pittstown, 56
Eastown, 30
G. Clinton. Yates.
59
118
153
188
54
47
53
31
27
1000 1577
The returns were very imperfectly given by the papers, the
adjoining counties being seldom reported, and never accu-
rately. The polls were closed in the city, we are told in
the middle of the week ; but in the east and west districts
of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, ballots continued to be
received until Saturday afternoon. The election of Go-
vernor Clinton was carried by the heavy majority from
Ulster county, which gave him 1039 out of 1145.
1789.] Notes from the Newspapers. 301
July 6. The legislature met at Albany. The message
of Gov. Clinton, at the opening of the session, occupied
thirty-two lines in the newspapers.
On the first of June, the thermometer stood at 40 ; on
the 30th, at 80 ; on the 14th July, at 56 ; on the 24th, at
84 ; on the 12th August, at 80 ; on the 30th, at 47 ; these
being the highest and lowest ranges for those months.
At the July term of the supreme court, held in Albany,
Elihu Smeeds of Pittstown in the county of Albany, in-
dicted for the murder of Ezekiel Mitchell, and convicted of
manslaughter, was adjudged to receive thirty-nine lashes,
at the public whipping post, and be imprisoned three ca-
lendar months. Six ethers, convicted of stealing, were
condemned to receive thirty-nine lashes each ; while about
the same time, Francis Uss, convicted of breaking open and
robbing a store in Poughkeepsie, was publicly hanged.
There was a scarcity of breadstuffs this year, through-
out the country, and complaints were made of monopo-
lizers. Flour sold at New Orleans for twelve dollars a
barrel. Complaints were frequent of the scarcity of pro-
visions in the western part of the state, on account of the
flood of immigrants. In the vicinity of Niagara, it was
difficult to subsist'the new comers. A letter from "Cooper's
Town, Otsego Lake," May 7, says: "The vast multitude of
people that come daily to this country have caused a scarcity
of provisions almost to a famine. In the Genesee it is quite
so. Corn will bring ten. shillings in cash, and six shillings
at Albany; and it is said potatoes at Niagara are twenty
shillings. However alarming this may be, it proceeds from
no other cause than that of an innumerable quantity of
people flocking in. I have had thirty in a day seeking land
of me."
Nov. 3. A snowstorm commenced at ten in the morning,
and continued during the day; and the weather was re-
markably cold, having every appearance of winter : a cir-
cumstance not before recollected by any of the inhabitants
at so early a period.
The amount of receipts and disbursements of the city of
Albany for the first six years succeeding the revolution,
was as follows :
Annals, ii. 26
302 Notes from the Newspapers. [1790.
Received. Disbursed.
1783-4 625 7s. 5c? 589 11s. 3d.
1784-5 277 6 1 334 13 9
1785-6 476 17 8 482 6 2
1786-7 2392 10 10 2465 10 2
1787-8 1421 5 11 1348 14 4
1788-9 547 7 9 443 10 11
1790. January. It was deemed " indispensably necessary "
by Mr. Cornelius J. Wynkoop, that there should be in the
city "an auctioneer and vendue master for dry goods,
household furniture, &c." Whereupon he opened at No. 8
Market street, "a licensed auction office." De Hart &
Kinney received the postage for carrying the mail between
New York and Albany.
Feb. 1. The legislature granted Ananias Platt the exclu-
sive right of running a stage between Albany and Lansing-
burgh.
April 2. The legislature passed an act for the improve-
ment of the navigation of the overslaugh, by allowing the
proprietors of Mills and Papskni islands to erect a dam to
prevent the passage of the water between them, and throw
it into the main channel. This, it was thought, would more
effectually benefit the navigation, than the employment of
" an unwieldy machine, which at best only affords a tempo-
rary relief."
The prisoners confined for debt in the city hall, which
was the jail, celebrated the 5th July (the 4th being Sun-
day). There was an allusion to the fifteenth year of Ame-
rican independence, and their confinement for debt. Their
fifth toast was : May the time come when no honest man
shall be confined for debt." The time did arrive, in less
than half a century,- when dishonest men even were seldom
confined for debt.
October. The mail stage between Albany and New York,
which seems to have been suspended, was announced to
commence running twice a week as formerly The synod
of New York and New Jersey erected a new presbytery in
the northern part of this state, under the name of The Pres-
bytery of Albany ; to which they committed the care of all
the congregations in this state in connection with them,
1790.] Notes from the Newspapers*. 803
wliicli lie north of the Catskill mountains on the west side,
and of the southern boundary of Columbia county on the
east side of Hudson's river. It was appointed to meet for
the first time on the ninth November, in the city of Albany ;
and to be opened with a sermon by Rev. William Schenck,
the senior pastor. In the absence of Mr. Schenck, Rev. John
Warford of Salem preached from Luke xiv, 23. Rev. John
McDonald of Albany was appointed stated clerk There
were but two mails which reached the city of Albany at this
time ; one from New York, and the other from Springfield,
Mass. (See vol. i, p. 56) The revenue of the city for six
months preceding the twelfth October, was 918 16s. 10^.;
the expenditures, 728 9s. 7c?. Among the expenditures is
an item of 3 10s. paid constables for patrolling the streets
on Sundays. 24 2s. 4(7. was received of P. S. Van Rens-
selaer, for ground in Barrack (Berg, 1 now Chapel) street.
December. The state of the weather is thus given for a
part of this month :
8th. Thermometer indicated 4 degrees below 0. 9th. 10
deg. below ; the barometer higher than had been observed
in four years, and the weather colder for the season than
had ever been known in the city. 17th. 2 below 0. 18th.
8 below 0. 19. 16 below 0. 20th. 20 above 0. 22d.
0. 28th. 4 below 0. 30th. 3 below 0. 31st. 8 below
0. Jan. 2d. 10 below 0.
1 This being the most westerly and highest street, was called
Berg street, that is hill street, which in time came to be written
by the English, Barrack street, from the Dutch pronunciation bar-
rg, as though it were two syllables. Thus the Helderberg, was
pronounced Helder-bar~rag, and is often written by unlettered Ame-
ricans, Hattebarrack.
304
Lancasterian School.
LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL.
In the year 1810, the common council had under con-
sideration the project of establishing a free school, on the
plan of Joseph Lancaster. As yet there were no public
schools in the city. The Mechanics' Society had, a number
of years previous, erected a building on the corner of Chapel
and Columbia streets, and maintained a school, which was
not altogether confined in its privileges to the children of
its own members. On the 26th May, 1812, the legislature
passed a law incorporating the Albany Lancasterian School
Society, which had then been some time in operation. The
petition stated that Philip S. Van Rensselaer, John Lansing
junior, Simeon De Witt, and others, had associated them-
selves for the laudable purpose of establishing a school in
the city of Albany, for the diffusion of common education }
and presented a petition to the legislature, setting forth the
benefits that would result to society from such an institution,
by implanting in the minds of children the principles of
Lancasterian School. 305
religion and morality, and by assisting their parents in pro-
viding suitable situations for them, where habits of industry
and virtue may be acquired ; and that it would enable them
more effectually to accomplish the benevolent objects of
their institution, if their association was incorporated. The
trustees named in the law to serve the first year, were Philip
S. Van Rensselaer, Simeon De Witt, Stephen Van Rensselaer,
Elisha Jenkins, Archibald M'Intyre, John M. Bradford,
William Neill, Timothy Clowes, John Mac Jimpsey, John
Lansing junior, James Kent, John V. Henry and Charles
R. Webster. The members of the common council were
made members of the society by virtue of their office ; and
any person contributing twenty-five dollars to its benefit, was
entitled to send one child to be educated gratuitously. The
school was conducted in the upper part of the building of
the Mechanics' Society, until the completion of the school-
house on Eagle street in 1817. Mr. William A. Tweed
Dale was appointed preceptor. His report of the business
of the year 1814, was as follows :
Salary of the teacher, $700.00
Rent of school room, 82 . 50
Fitting up Pettibone stoves, and ventilating, . . 91 . 00
Incidental expenses, 331 .03
$1204.53
The income of the society arose from the following sources :
Allowance by the corporation out of the excise receipts, $500 . 00
School fund appropriation, 487.66
Tuition fees from scholars, 400 . 00
$1387.66
The number of scholars instructed during the year was
400, half of whom were new pupils, or such as had not pre-
viously attended the school.
On Monday, April 5, 1817, the ceremony took place of
opening the new school house, the building now occupied
by the Medical College and Law School, of which the
woodcut on the preceding page is a correct representation,
the wing having been added since the school was abandoned.
The house was built by order of the common council, at an
306 Lancasteritm School.
expense of $23,918.93. It was capable of accommodating
450 children, and a large infant school ; and afforded a resi-
dence for the principal. A procession, consisting of the
trustees, principal, and four hundred scholars, formed at
the house of the president of the society, Philip S. Van
Rensselaer, corner of State and Chapel streets, and moved
to the Capitol, where it was met by the governor of the
state, mayor and recorder of the city, and the clergy and
citizens ; whence it moved to the school house. There the
exercises consisted of a prayer by Rev. Mr. Bradford, an
address by Dr. T. R. Beck, and prayer and benediction by
Rev. Mr. De Witt. From the address we learn that during
the six years the school had been in operation, 1149 scho-
lars had been educated in it. The institution was designed
to gather in the poor and neglected children of the city,
who were growing up in idleness and ignorance. Of the
thousands who were educated within its walls, many doubt-
less owe a life of happiness and prosperity, in some instances
of eminence, to the teachings there imparted. It continued
in operation until about 1834, when it was abandoned. Mr.
Tweed Dale, who superintended the school from its founda-
tion till that time, a period of about twenty-three years, was
now advanced in life. He was, before his arrival in this
country, a pupil of both Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster, the
rival claimants of the honor of having established the system.
Incalculable benefits were rendered to the children of the
poor in England and America, by the establishment of simi-
lar institutions, at a time when education was mostly con-
fined to the higher classes.
This institution was superseded by the schools which
went into operation in every part of the city, under the
common school system of the state. The edifice was vacant
for several years, when it was appropriated to the use of a
medical college, of which an account is given in Collections
Hist. Albany, n, 219.
In 1818, Mr. Lancaster visited Albany on his tour in the
United States ; the trustees of the Lancaster school pre-
sented him with the following address :
" Sir : The trustees of the Albany Lancaster school so-
ciety, avail themselves of your unexpected appearance in
this quarter of the world, to show you a young scion from
Ancient Funeral Custom. 307
that tree which you have planted, which is rapidly spreading
its branches over every region, and imparting its blessed
fruit to every nation. You, sir, have devised, matured, and
brought into universal practice, a system of education, by
which the knowledge of letters, science, morality and reli-
gion, can with comparatively little effort and expense be
communicated to millions of juvenile minds, who by the
ordinary established means of education would not have
become partakers of its invaluable benefits. Accept, sir,
this tribute of our respect, which we tender to you as one
of those rare benefactors of mankind, whose services merit
such peculiar public acknowledgments as cannot be with-
held without incurring the justly deserved imputation of
public ingratitude.
" SIMEON I>E WITT,
" President."
ANCIENT FUNEKAL CUSTOM.
The following is copied from a memoir read by Judge
Benson before the New York Historical Society in 1816 :
A family in Albany, and from the earliest time, of the
name of Wyngaard. The last in the male line, Lucas
Wyngaard, died about sixty years ago, never married, and
leaving estate : the invitation to his funeral very general.
Those who attended, returned after the interment, as was
the usage, to the house of the deceased at the close of the
one day, and a number never left it until the dawn of the
next. In the course of the night a pipe of wine, stored in
the cellar for some years before for the occasion, drank;
dozens of pampers of tobacco consumed; grosses of pipes
broken; scarce a whole decanter or glass left; and, to
crown it all, the pall-bearers made a bonfire of their scarves
on the hearth bordering on barbarism ! not to be denied.
We are more temperate, wholly free from excess and riot
admitted.
308 The Dutch Language.
THE DUTCH LANGUAGE.
Since the memorable era of Col. Dongan's administration,
the descendants of the ancient families which peopled the
manor of Rensselaerwyck and the city of Albany have not
only suffered the decadence of the institutions and language
of their fathers, but have, generally, sought to unlearn and
forget every thing that was Dutch ; and thus virtually con-
tributed, in no small degree, to render their paternity a bye-
word. The ancient language of the city has been so wholly
neglected, that, although spoken in some families, we know
of no scion of the ancient stock who thinks it worth his
while to cultivate it for literary purposes. Hence an im-
pression prevails of the general stupidity of the people and
the meagreness of the language. Nor is this impression in
regard to the Dutch, notwithstanding the respectable figure
they have made in the world for several centuries, confined
to this country. It is not a little remarkable, says a British
writer, that of a people whose national character runs in
many respects parallel with ours ; who have been animated
by a similar spirit of industry, commercial enterprise and
maritime ardor, even the language should be hardly at all
known in this country, notwithstanding the study of it is
calculated to throw so much light upon our own, which has
not only the same common origin, but has immediately
borrowed a great number of words and expressions from it.
So far from meriting that contempt with which the insolence
of ignorance has branded them, there are few nations which
have contributed more towards the civilization of Europe,
and to learning and science, than the people of the Nether-
lands. The country that has produced an Erasmus and a
Grrotius, a Swammerdam, a Leeuwenhoek, and a Boerhaave;
that has done so much for the physical sciences, for medi-
cine, jurisprudence, philology, classical and oriental litera-
ture ; that can boast of such writers as a Yondel and a
Bilderdijk ; that has done so much for the cultivation of its
language ; that possesses so many literary societies and in-
stitutes, together with others for the encouragement of the
The Dutch language. 309
fine arts, ought not to be stigmatized as one inhabited by a
dull, plodding race of merchants.
One circumstance, which, if it has served to diffuse over
Europe the labors of its learned men, has also merged their
celebrity in that of continental literature generally, has been
the practice of employing Latin ; a circumstance which has
rendered an acquaintance with the Dutch language unneces-
sary for the purpose of profitting by their studies or disco-
veries. Most probably, too, the universal celebrity of the
Dutch scholars throughout the learned world has in no
small degree tended to divert attention from, and excite a
prejudice against the vernacular language and literature, as
being rude and uncultivated, and unfitted for any nobler
purpose than that of carrying on the intercourse of daily
life. Yet so very far is this from being the case, that there
is scarcely any modern tongue which either contains within
itself more plastic elements, or which has been more care-
fully wrought up and polished ; nor have any people paid
greater attention to purity of style and elegance of diction,
than the writers of Holland of late years. It can not be
said that the difficulty of acquiring it has deterred us from
attempting to form any acquaintance -with the literature of
this country ; because, of all foreign idioms, it is that which
bears the strongest family resemblance to our own ; so much
so, that flippant and ignorant travelers have sometimes
described it as a sort of bastard English ; which is just as
correct as it would be for a Hollander to call English a bas-
tard jargon of Dutch. Those who decide that the language
in which Yondel wrote is a barbarous one, would be capable
of pronouncing with equal effrontery that the language em-
ployed by Milton is altogether rude and unpolished. It
certainly has its defects, but they are those of our own lan-
guage, which sounds equally harsh to European ears, and is
condemned as being clogged with consonants and abounding
with monosyllables. At the same time it possesses far
greater homogeneousness, and, like the German, the power
of combining out of its own elements and roots, that class of
words which we borrow immediately from the Latin and the
Greek ; for instance, onnavolgbare, inimitable ', vereeningen,
to unite; veelomvattende, comprehensive, &c. : whereas we
310 The Dutch Language.
have only a very few of the kind, such as unchangeable,
wherein the Saxon root is employed.
It is not pretended that the literature of the Dutch lan-
guage contains so much to reward the student as that of
Germany, but it certainly contains a very great deal, and
much too that is equally or even more worthy of finding
translators in this country than many of the productions
which have come from Germany. There is a current of
sound and healthy feeling in the literature of Holland ; a
devotional fervor, and a regard for the hallowing influences
of domestic life; a beautiful simplicity; together with a
nobleness and independence, pervading many of the poetical
productions of that country.
But lest we should be thought to depart from our pro-
vince in extending this subject here, we will conclude by
referring to the Encyclopedia Americana, its article on the
language, literature and poetry of the Netherlands, in the
hope that it may have the effect to inspire more favorable
opinions on this subject even among those who ought more
highly to reverence the language and literature of their
fatherland.
Dutch Names for Albany and Vicinity. 311
DUTCH NAMES FOR ALBANY AND VICINITY.
Albany was known by the several Dutch names of Bever-
wyck, Wittemstadt, and Fort Orange, chiefly by the last. 1
It was also known as the Fuyck, or hoop-net; and a kil is
mentioned as there, and known as the Fuyck kil, changed
to Rutten kil, an abbreviation of Rutgert's kil; Rutgert
Bleecker, 2 a proprietor of the ground adjacent to it, the
third creek from the Norman's kil inclusive. The creek
known as Vyde kil, the fifth creek, the creek at Water vliet,
literally at the time water flood, the word vliet since rarely
in use ; the seat of the family of Van Rensselaer. The
lands immediately opposite to Albany, and for a distance
along and from the river, the Dutch denoted as Het Greene
Bosch, the pine woods, corrupted to Greenbush. The mouths
of the Mohock they distinguished as the Spruytes, corrupted
to, and which may also possibly pass for a translation, the
Sprouts. The larger island formed by the Sprouts, they
called Walvisch island, whale island. "I cannot forbear/'
says Van Der Donck, " to mention, that in the year 1647, in
the month of March, when, by a great freshet, the water
was .fresh almost to the great bay, there were two whales, of
tolerable size, up the river; the one turned back, but the
other stranded, and stuck nor far from the great fall of the
Cohoes." The arable land immediately above, they denoted
as the Halve Maan, the half moon, from its crescent-like
form along the hills on the western side. Judge Benson.
1 .Fort Orange having been taken possession of by the govern-
ment, and being often inundated, the settlement was removed far-
ther north, to State street and vicinity, and called Beverwyk. 'M.
2 This must be erroneous. In the records it is called Rattes kil,
which shows that rutten is synonymous with ratten. No part of
the city is so infested with rats to this day. This creek was called^
Kutten kil long before Rutgert Bleecker's day. M.
312 Origin of Yankee Doodle.
ORIGIN OF YANKEE BOODLE.
It is known as a matter of history, that in the early part
of 1755, great exertions were made by the British ministry,
at the head of which was the illustrious Earl of Chatham,
for the reduction of the French power in the provinces of
the Canadas. To carry the object into effect, General Am-
herst, referred to in the letters of Junius, was appointed to
the command of the British army in north-western America :
and the British colonies in America were called upon for
assistance, who contributed with alacrity their several
quotas of men, to effect the grand object of the enterprise.
It was still fresh in the memory of some of our oldest in-
habitants sixty years ago, that the British army lay en-
camped, in the summer of 1755, on the eastern bank of the
Hudson, a little south of the city of Albany, on the ground
now belonging to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. Vestiges of
their encampment remained for a long time ; and after a
lapse of sixty years, when a great proportion of the actors of
those days had passed away from the earth, the inquisitive
traveler could observe the remains of the ashes, the places
where they boiled their camp kettles. It was this army
that, under the command of Abercrombie, was foiled with a
severe loss in the attack on Ticonderoga, where the distin-
guished Howe fell at the head of his troops, in an hour that
history has consecrated to fame. In the early part of June,
the eastern troops began to pour in company after company ;
and such a motley assemblage of men never before thronged
together on such an occasion, unless an example may be
found in the ragged regiment of Sir John Falstaff, of right
merry and facetious memory. It would have relaxed the
gravity of an anchorite, to have seen the descendants of the
puritans marching through the streets of our ancient city,
to take their station on the left of the British army : some
with long coats, some with short coats, and others with no
coats at all, in colors as varied as the rainbow ; some with
their hair cropped like the army of Cromwell, and others with
wigs whose curls flowed around their shoulders. Their march,
Origin of Yankee Doodle. 313
their accoutrements, and the whole arrangement of the troops
furnished matter of amusement to the wits of the British
army. The music played the airs of two centuries ago, and
the tout ensemble exhibited a sight to the wondering strang-
ers that they had been unaccustomed to in their own land. 1
Among the club of wits that belonged to the British army,
there was a physician attached to the staff by the name of
Doctor Shackburg, who combined with the science of a sur-
geon, the skill and talents of a musician. To tease brother
Jonathan, he composed a tune, and with much gravity re-
commended it to the officers as one of the most celebrated
airs of martial music. The joke took, to the no small
amusement of the British corps. Brother Jonathan ex-
claimed it was nation fine ; and in a few days, nothing was
heard in the provincial camp but the air of Yankee Doodle.
Little did the author or his coadjutors then suppose, that an
air made for the purpose of levity and ridicule, should ever
be marked for such high destinies : in twenty years from
that time, our national march inspired the hearts of the
heroes of Bunker Hill ; and in less than thirty, Lord Corn-
wallis and his army marched into the American lines to the
tune of Yankee Doodle.
1 The appearance of the Massachusetts and Connecticut troops
that marched through this city on their way to Saratoga, in the
year 1777, was long a source of merriment among the Dutch burg-
ers of Albany. Not only were many of them mere boys, but their
dress and accoutrements were of the most heterogeneous descrip-
tion. On being asked where they were going, the universal
response was : " Going to take Burgoyne." But their arms and
habiliments answered to the British description of the forces that,
notwithstanding their uncouth and undisciplined appearance, made
an indelible mark at Bunker hill.
See the Yankees leave the hill
With baggernets declining,
With lop-down hats and rusty guns,
And leather aprons shining.
Annals, ii. 27
314 Salmon in the Hudson Ewer.
SALMON IN THE HUDSON RIVER.
The historian of the first voyage of Europeans upon our
river, speaks of the abundance of fish they met with, among
which were "great store of salmons." There are also tradi-
tions, if nothing more reliable, that the creeks of Albany
abounded with these fishes, particularly the Foxes creek,
now become a mere sewer. Dr. Mitchell, nevertheless,
wrote a learned paper in the Philosophical Transactions, and
a letter of his is contained in the Collections of the New
York Historical Society, (vol. I, 41), in which he labors to
show that the Hudson river has never been a favorite resort
for salmon. His letter is as follows :
Concerning the frequency of salmon in the river Caho-
hatatea or Mahaganeghtuc, when first visited by the naviga-
tor Hudson, I have my doubts as to its correctness. That
fish has, indeed, been taken in this river, and even in the
vicinity of Albany. But this is a rare occurrence ; and the
individuals of this kind that have been caught are solitary,
and not the gregarious salmons swimming in shoals. I have
conversed with several persons here, who have seen a few
of these lonesome and straggling fishes, from time to time,
as they have been brought to market.
I can not learn that there is any record or tradition of
their having ever frequented our river, after the manner of
the Connecticut, the Kennebeck,and the other streams on this
continent. Salmon love clear and limpid water, as do all
the species of the trout family, to which they belong ; and
I should question much whether the ooze and mud of the
Cahohatatea was so agreeable to them, as the sandy bottoms
of the more precipitous and rapid rivers. Besides, you well
Salmon in the Hudson River. 315
know, that our river is but an estuary as far as the outlet
of the Mohock; and the strata of schistic rocks which
cross it above the junction of that river, are generally more
shallow, than, perhaps, the salmon would like. And, fur-
ther, the Dutch word salm or salmpie, commonly in use to
signify salmon, means also, in ordinary and loose conversa-
tion and composition, trout.
There are, still, other considerations unfavorable to the
abundance of salmon in our" river. They are those which
relate to the herring, the shad, and the sturgeon, the
annual visitants of this stream, at Albany and higher.
Whatever may be the opinion of speculative men, as to the
governing principle of these creatures, whether it be instinct
or reason, the fact nevertheless is, that they select very pro-
per places to deposit their spawn, and perpetuate their race.
In our river, these three species of fish had each an appro-
priate place for the great work of multiplication.
The grand rendezvous of the herrings, was the Saratoga
lake ; into which they entered by its outlet, yet called Fish
creek. The obstruction of this passage by dams and artifi-
cial impediments, has turned the herrings from their favorite
haunt. The inhabitants of the neighboring region have
thereby been deprived of their yearly treat of herrings.
But, more than this, the herrings thus dispossessed and dis-
couraged, have become more rare in the river, and are
deserting it in proportion to the want of accommodation it
affords them. It is reported, that the course of the herrings
was more especially on the west side of the river.
The shad traveled along the eastern shore. Their chief
place of resort was the basin at the foot of Fort Edward
falls.
No particular path in the river was selected by the stur-
geons. They seem to have swam at large, as they do at pre-
sent. But they assembled for the propagation of their kind
at the bottom of the Cahoes, or great falls of the Mohock.
The roes or eggs of the sturgeon, are exceedingly numerous,
amounting to a large mass of spawn. You recollect that
the Russian cavear is made of them. Other fishes are fond
of feeding on them : they eat it with remarkable voracity.
It is one of the most alluring baits that anglers can use.
The abundance of this requisite food at the breeding season,
316 Castle Island.
is supposed to be a principal inducement for the basse or
rockjish, to follow the sturgeons to their place of deposit.
The disturbance the sturgeons have experienced in the pro-
gress of settlement, has diminished their numbers exceed-
ingly; and the basse has become proportionally rare.
Now, with all this information relative to the several sorts
of fish, that have frequented the Hudson, since the posses-
sion of its banks by European emigrants, there are no regular
notices of salmon. Neither a swimming-course, nor a breed-
ing-place has been detected. It is therefore a fair presump-
tion, that these fishes never found within its waters sufficient
inducement to visit them in great numbers, or at regular
times, and that those which have been taken are merely
strays and wanderers. Dr. Mitchell, in Coll. N. Y. Hist.
Soc., I, 41.
CASTLE ISLAND.
A few were selected from the crews of the Dutch ships
which sailed up the river the following year after the dis-
covery of it, to remain here a winter over. They erected
an habitation on the point of the island, the southern limit
of the city of Albany, and enclosed it with palisadoes as a
defence against the Indians, and it was known as the Kasteel,
the castle. Stuyvesant, in his correspondence with the go-
vernment of the Massachusetts Bay, mentions the island as
still known by the name of Kasteel island.
* Beeren island l and the Overslagh still retain their Dutch
names. The Dutch navigators speak of the river Gambia,
on the east of Africa, as having an * overslagh, a bar, at its
mouth. Judge Bensen.
1 Now often erroneously written Barren island, because so pro-
nounced. It signifies Bear's island. Overslagh (overgeslagen) so
called as the place struck upon by vessels going on the river. M.
Indian Names 'of Albany and Vicinity. 317
INDIAN NAMES OF ALBANY AND VICINITY.
Hudson did not give his own name to the river which he
discovered. The Iroquois Indians called it Cahohdtatta,
The Mahiccans, Mahakaneghtuc, and sometimes Shatemucfc.
Hudson styled it, emphatically, the Great River or the
Great River of the Mountains,* no doubt from the extraor-
dinary circumstance of such a body of water flowing through
the mountains without a cataract. The name of its discoverer,
however, was early attached to it. I find it familiarly called
Hudson's** river in some of the public documents of the
Dutch colonial government ; but more frequently the North
river, to distinguish it from the Delaware, which was dis-
covered by the same navigator, and which, being within
the territory claimed by the Dutch, was called by them the
South River* Dr. Miller, in Coll N. T. Hist. Soc., i, 37.
The names of the rivers Mohock and Hudson, as they
are extant among the Iroquois, have engaged my attention
to make inquiry concerning them. My opportunities have
been favorable. Mr. John Bleecker, the ancient Indian
interpreter, now in the seventy-ninth year of his age, was
well enough to receive a visit from me this morning, and in
possession of his full recollection as to what I asked of him.
On seeing me, he instantly, and without hesitation, pro-
nounced my name, with a remembrance that he had been
acquainted with me at Fort Schuyler, in 1788, when the
Five Nations sold their lands to -the state of New York. I
have also seen Colonel Louis, the distinguished Indian war-
rior, who is now in Albany, and have sought information
from him. Jacob Dochstetter, the present Oneida interpre-
ter, likewise gave me all the opportunity I wished of con-
versing with him, while he was attending with his country-
men, a treaty with the commissioners appointed on the part
of the state.
1 This name is said by some to have been of Spanish origin.
2 There is reason to believe, that this name, though soon adopted
by the Dutch, was first applied by the English ; probably as a part
of their system for assuming the discovery and the property of the
country to themselves.
318 Indian Names of Albany and Vicinity.
From these several persons I have obtained the following
words, which I immediately committed to writing, and
corrected as well as I could, by many repetitions from the
mouths of the speakers. Though I ought to observe, that
there are a few sounds which the letters of our alphabet are
incapable of expressing.
. Canneogahakalononitade the Mohock river.
Skenectadea the city of Albany.
Ohnowalagantle the town of Schenectady.
Cahoha*tatea the North or Hudson river.
Skenectadea, Cahohatatea the North river, spoken of
in relation to Albany or Albany river.
Tioghsahronde the place or places at which streams
empty themselves.
Tioghsahronde, Cahohatatea the North river spoken
of in relation to the Mohock, the Watervleit kil, the
Norman's kil, and the other streams which discharge
into it.
The name of our North river, in the tongue of the Iro-
quois, strikes my ear very agreeably : Cahohatatea.
You may contrast this with the Mohegan name for the
same river, given me this day by John Tayler, Esq., a gen-
tleman long conversant in the Indian affairs of New York ;
Mahalcaribghtnc.
What their etymologies are, I have not been able to as-
certain, except as to Skenectadea, Albany ; which signifies
the place the natives of the Iroquois arrived at, by traveling
through the pine trees. Dr. Mitchell, ibid., I, 43.
The information that Shatemuck was one of the Mahiccan
names of the River Hudson, was received from the Hon.
Egbert Bensen.
Dutch Names for the Fish in our Ewer. 319
DUTCH NAMES FOR THE FISH IN OUR RIYER.
A. few only will be noticed some denoted by numbers
as their names the Twaalf, the twelve, the Streaked Bass,
and the Elf, the Shad the name of the Shad in Dutch
is Elfet, in German Aloft, and in French Alose, all perhaps
from the same root ; but being pronounced here Elf, the
number eleven, the number itself possibly came to be con-
sidered as its name, and so led to denote others in the same
manner the Drum is said to have been the Dertien, the
thirteen. Van Der Donck, speaking of the North river, ex-
presses himself, it is seer visryck, literally very fish-rich
here the Dutch language would seem to have the advantage
over the English, its capability of composition het gelt-
zucht, the money -lust; het mersch-zucht, the sway-lust ; for
a word for the first the English are indebted to the French,
covetousness ; for a word for the other to the Latin, ambition;
Myn Eer-naam, my honor-name, the name or rather appella-
tion, by which it is peculiarly my honor to be called no
word for it in either of the three languages an instance
illustrating it "The disciples were called Christians"
Speaking of the fish in New Netherland at large, and conse-
quently comprehending the Connecticut, he expresses him-
self, " there is also in some places salmon." Extract from
the voyage of Hudson, as found in Purchas ; " They saw
many salmons, and mullets, and rays, very great" the
third of September, not the salmon season. De Laet, ex-
presses himself, " Hudson also testifies, that with their seines
they took every kind of river fish in the river, also young
salmon and sturgeon." The Dutch, whatever may be the
true name of the fish in their language, always at least in
this country, call the trout, Salmties, little salmon ; and they
were doubtless in abundance at the mouths of the large
streams issuing into the river. Belknap, and as &fact ap-
pertaining to the life of Hudson, mentions, " that, in sailing
up the river, he found it abounding with fish, and among
which were great store of salmon. "Judge ensen } JV. Y.
Hist. Soc. Coll., ii, 2d Series, p. 130,
320
Albany Academy Medals.
ALBANY ACADEMY MEDALS.
The Caldwetl Mathematical Medal.
The institution of the Caldwell Medal took place in 1831.
In that year William Caldwell, a retired merchant of the
city of Albany, presented one hundred dollars to the trustees
of the Academy, to be invested in stock, the income of
which should be devoted to the purchase of a gold medal, to
be. given at each annual examination to the student who
shall have made the greatest proficiency in mathematics and
natural philosophy; the student to be of at least three
years standing in the academy, and the medal to be given
but once to the same individual. The donation was in-
vested, and the interest is annually appropriated to the
purchase of a medal, which is awarded to the successful
competitor. These medals have no device, but simply the
words " Caldwell Premium, Mathematics," upon the obverse,
and the name of the recipient and the date upon the reverse
side, as seen in the fac simile of one of them which is here
given. The names of the students who have obtained this
medal, are as follows :
1831, William Austin. 1841,
1832, no examination on 1842,
account of cholera. 1843,
1833, Henry Waldron. 1844,
1834, Aurelian Conkling. 1845,
1835, John Newland. 1846,
1836, Henry K. Viele. 1847,
1837, George B. Hoyt. 1848,
1838, Charles N. Waldron. 1849,
1839, Joseph B. Brown. 1850,
1840, William J. Gibson. 1851,
John J. Olcott.
Philip Phelps.
William Wrightson.
Andrew McElroy.
John R. Croswell.
Francis B. Hall.
Frank Jones.
Jacob J. Koonz.
George Wrightson.
William Alvord.
Richard M. Strong.
r
Albany Academy Medals* 323
The Van Rensselaer Classical Medal.
In 1837, General Stephen Van Rensselaer presented
one hundred dollars in. trust, to be appropriated in the same
manner as the preceding, as a reward for the greatest profi-
ciency in the Latin and Greek languages; subject to the
same reservations, except that the student must be of at
least four years standing in the Academy. This medal, it
will be seen, is in the same style as the Caldwell medal.
The names of those who have received it are as follows :
1837, Isaac L. K. Miller. 1845, Wm. T. Wrightson.
1838, Henry F. Greene. 1846, John K. Croswell.
1839, Charles K. McHarg. 1847, Jacob L. Pearse.
1840, Gilbert L. Wilson. 1848, Henry L. Bullions.
1841, Philip Phelps. 1849, William A. Gott.
1842, John C. Bullions. 1850, Ernest J. Miller.
1843, Oliver Bronson. 1851, Charles Boyd.
1844, Samuel G. Courtney.
324 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1849.
ANNALS OF THE YEAR 1849-50.
1849. December 1. Albany and Mohawk Plank Koad
company organized: Wm. McElroy, president; Jacob Henry,
vice president; Henry A. Allen, secretary; John M. New-
ton, treasurer. Six thousand dollars were subscribed on the
occasion. The capital stock of the road $25,000.
2. Thomas Turner, U. S. Consul for Brazil, died at
Bahai, aged 30 ; formerly of Albany.
3. Snow commenced falling at an early hour, but turned
to sleet and rain during the day Thermometer at 7
A, M. 29; 12 M. 34; 3 p. M. 35; 6 p. M. 37.
4. Thermometer, 7 A. M. 34; 12 M. 38 J; 3 P. M. 39 ;
6 P. M. 40 Elizabeth, wijjow of John Luther, died,
aged 89.' David A. Leighton died, aged 53.
5. Last day of canal navigation ; the locks being closed
by order of the canal board, instead of Jack Erost, to whom
the business had always been left by common consent
Mrs. Phoebe Hilton died, aged 78.
6. Thermometer, 7 A. M. 41; 12 M. 45; 3 p. M.
44; 6 P. M. 35 John Millington, Jr., died, aged 26.
Wm. H. Chapman died, aged 22. John Roach died, aged 52.
7. Meeting of citizens at the Mansion house, to take into
consideration the prices charged by the company for gas.
A committee was appointed .to confer with the company and
report to a future meeting Thermometer, 7 A. M. 29;
12 M. 30; 3 P. M. 29 ; 6 p. M. 30.
8. The river so low that the morning boats grounded on
the bars, and the Boston ferry boat also grounded in her
slip on the East Albany side Daniel Poinier died, aged
50 Richard Starr, type founder, formerly of Albany,
died at Brooklyn Catharine M., wife of David Seaman,
died, aged 29.
9. Much floating ice in the river, and hail and rain fell
during the day Hendrik Hudson reached her dock be-
fore 2 o'clock in the morning Ann Visscher, relict of
Levinus L. Winne, formerly of Albany, died, aged 67.
Cornelia .Ann, wife of Chas. Richardson, died.
DEC.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 325
10. Cloudy and thawing Mr. Archibald Campbell re-
moved from the office -of deputy secretary of state, which he
had filled with great industry and capacity since 1812
A force organized and sent down to Coeymans to make fur-
ther efforts to obtain coal, at a locality which had been
previously examined, about six miles west of the river
Catharine, wife of Owen McManus, died.
11. Janet Andrew, wife of Robert Dunlop, died, aged
65 J. E. Dudley, formerly of Albany, was drowned
during the passage from Buffalo to Detroit, on the steam
boat Atlantic.
12. Such was the severity of the weather, that the steamer
Santa Glaus left at 1 P. M. and the Hendrik Hudson and
Columbia at 3 ; and the Rip Van Winkle went into winter
quarters in the Basin. The weather moderated in the even-
ing Horace Knowles died, aged 50. Wm. F. Gombell
died A convention of iron masters met at the city hall,
to take into consideration the tariff on iron, and organized
an association, Erastus Corning, president.
13. The First Presbyterian Church, the oldest church
edifice in the city, corner of South Pearl and Beaver sts.,
was sold by auction, and purchased by James Kidd for
$17,550. It was built in 1792, and when completed was
the best church in the city Andrew Fitzpatrick died,
aged 60 Meeting of gas consumers to hear report of
committee ; the directors of the company declined to reduce
the price.
14. The board of managers of the Albany City Tract So-
ciety for the ensuing year, were chosen and consist of the
following: president, Friend Humphrey; vice presidents,
Ralph Humphrey, Robert Boyd, Lemuel Jenkins, Richard
V. Dewitt, Wm. McElroy, Wm. C. Miller, Alden March ;
secretary, Erastus H. Pease ; treasurer, Philip Phelps ; direc-
tors, Rufus K. Viele, James B. Sanders, James Taylor,
James A. Wilson, Walter R. Bush, S. T. Bowen, Wm. H.
Ross, G. W. Benjamin, N. A. Fish, Eli Perry, Thos. Mc-
Mullen, Silas B. Howe, A. H. Wells, James Edwards,
John Yosburgh, Robt. Coburn, T. R. Rawson, William Gib-
son, together with the pastors of the churches represented
in the board Mrs. Margaret Gray died, aged 62.
Annals, ii. 28
326 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [DEC. 1849.
15. A large pulley wheel, weighing about five thousand
pounds, thirteen feet six inches diameter, with twenty-eight
inches face was cast at F. S. Low's Machine Works on
Saturday night, for the Nail Works
16. Trinity Church having been repaired, after the late
fire, was again opened for service Annual meeting of the
Albany City Tract Society, at the Pearl Street Baptist
Church, Rev. Dr. Kennedy presiding. From the report of
the superintendent, Solomon Cone, it appeared that the So-
ciety had been in existence fourteen years ; that there were
100 visitors, who called at 500 houses once a month, distri-
buting 7,000 tracts, or an aggregate of 28,000 pages. They
had distributed a number of Bibles and Testaments, and
other religious books, gathered during the year 150 children
into sabbath schools, clothed most of them, nursed and
counseled the sick, aided and comforted the poor, and ob-
tained fifty names to the temperance pledge. The treasurer
(Philip Phelps) reported the receipt of $588.66 into the
treasury dfiring the past year, and expenditure of $877.41.
There is, nevertheless, $130.25 still in the treasury. It was
proposed to expend $1,000 during the ensuing year, to ac-
complish which it would be necessary to raise about $900.
17. John Peebles died, aged 59.
18. The steam tow boats Commerce and Belle left with
the last run of barges for the season Isaac W in ire, .form-
erly of Albany, died at Sing-Sing.
20. Jonas Wickes died, aged 63. He had been employed
eighteen years as deputy clerk of the county of Albany, and
previously in the county clerk's office of Rensselaer. He
was a philanthropic citizen, and ever prominent in all be-
nevolent and religious movements.
21. First sleighing of the season.
22. Mary, wife of Daniel Betts, died, aged 75.
23. Ralph H. Meech died.
24. John N. Cutler died, aged 71.
25. The board of supervisors visited the Penitentiary
David A. Bedell died, aged 29.
26. The first mail from New York by land left New York
at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon by the Hudson River
Rail Road, took the stage at 10 miles below Poughkeepsie,
and arrived at Albany about 5 o'clock this morning No
JAN. 1850.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 327
boat arrived from New York to-day, owing to the sale of the
boats composing the People's Line, in New York. Three-
quarters of the Hendrik Hudson, 1 bought by Daniel Drew,
for 848,000. The Columbia was bought by D. Drew for
816,000. The Oregon was boughtby D. Drew for 836,000.
One-half of the steam boats Empire. Troy and John Mason
of the Troy and New York line, was bought by him for
$40,000. The South America was bought by Capt. Dodge for
829,000. The North America was bought by A. Van Sant-
vord for 815,000. The Rochester was bought by Capt.
Dodge for$ll,500 Robert Southey died, aged 38. Robert
Hewson died, aged 38.
27. Persons crossed the river on the ice near Bath, for
the first time this season, navigation being fairly closed.
29. The governors of the Albany Hospital appointed by
the last legislature consisting of Marcus T. Reynolds, Greene
C. Bronson, William James, Ezra P. Prentice, Barent P.
Staats, Dyer Lathrop, Friend Humphrey, Samuel Pruyn,
James G-oold, James D. Wasson, James P. Boyd, T. Romeyn
Beck, Ralph Pratt, John C. Spencer, and Clark Durant,
met and adopted regulations for the government of the in-
stitution, and entered upon the business of procuring a sub-
scription of 820,000, the sum requisite to secure state aid.
31. Dr. Fay, the Alms house physician, reported that
during 'the month of December there were 132 persons in
that institution requiring medical attendance, of which 79
were cured, 20 died, and 33 remained under treatment.
1850.
JANUARY 1. Weather mild and sleighin'g good
Meeting of the legislature. Mr. Elderkin, democrat, elected
speaker, by three majority over Robert H. Pruyn, whig.
James R. Rose, of Albany, elected clerk Rensse-
laer Van Rensselaer, formerly of Albany, and commander-
in-chief of the forces stationed on Navy Island in the late
Canadian rebellion, died at Syracuse, from inhaling the fumes
of charcoal.
2. The Commercial Bank paid a dividend of five per cent
1 It was the intention of the owners to name their boat after the
old navigator, but his name was Henry, and not Hendrik.
328 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
on its capital stock. The State Bank had long been accus-
tomed to make a semi-annual dividend of five per cent, and
the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank began to do the same last
year James Muir, Jr., died, aged 31.
3. Mr. Pruyn offered In the house of assembly a petition
from the board of supervisors, praying a law to change the
bounds of the city of Albany.
4. A dense fog enveloped the city, after the fall of a few
inches of snow, so that at sunrise, objects could not be dis-
cerned at a Distance equal to the. width of State street. The
day was one of uncommon mildness and beauty Jane
Frances, wife of John Cummings, died.
V 7. The Housatonic train arrived from New York at a
quarter before 5 p. M. making the trip in 8f hours
The common council appointed C. L. Cutler to take charge
of the clock of the Middle Dutch Church, as the town
clock, which his father, recently deceased, had so long had
the care of Organization of the Society for the Relief of
the Poor, and the following persons appointed officers for
the ensuing year : Rev. Win. James, president; Greene C.
Bronson, Robert E. Temple, Thomas McElroy, vice-presi-
dents; Rev. Thomas R. Rawson, secretary; William Mc-
Elroy, treasurer ; Marcus T. Reynolds, W. W. Frothingham,
Thurlow Weed, Chauncey P. Williams, P. M. Lovett, Elihu
Russell, Jefferson Mayell, John Tracy, Lemuel Jenkins,
Anthony Gould, Wm. G-. Deyermand, Nathaniel Davis, G-eo.
C. Treadwell, Azor Taber The following gentlemen
were elected Directors of the Albany Insurance Company
for the ensuing year : Teunis Van Vechten, Gerrit Y. Lan-
sing, Rufus H. King, Augustus James, Marcus T. Reynolds,
Archibald Mclntyre, John Townsend, William C. Miller,
Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Herman . Pumpelly, John T. Cooper,
Henry Bleecker, Peter McNaugh ton At the annual elec-
tion of the Tivoli Hose Company, the following named persons
were elected as officers for the ensuing year ; John C. Felt-
man, jr., foreman ; Jacob C. Cuyler, 1st asst. ; Robert W.
Harvey, 2d asst. ; Samuel T. Thorburn, secretary ; Henry
J. Wells, treasurer.
8. A fall of snow during the early morning, and another in
the afternoon One hundred guns fired in honor of the an-
niversary of the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815 The
JAN.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 329
Albany Emmet Guards gave their annual ball in the even-
ing, at Van Veehten Hall, No. 119 State street, which was
opened for the first time on this occasion since its evacuation
by the Normal School At a meeting of the Fire Depart-
ment, the following persons were elected officers for the en-
suing year: John B. Stonehouse, president; John McBride,
vice president; L. D. Holstein, secretary; V. Ten Eyck,
treasurer ; Archibald Young, collector ; John A. Sickles,
George Cuyler, trustees Ephraim Howard died, aged
75.
9. From the long prevalence of southerly winds the ice
in the river became so unsafe, that crossing with teams was
discontinued Lawrence Murray died, aged 48.
10. The wind having veered to the north, the sun shone
out in the morning giving everything the appearance of
early spring Ralph Waldo Emerson lectured before the
Young Men's Association at the North Methodist Church ;
and Frances Ann Kemble read Shakespeare at the Female
Academy " as no other woman could read it, and very few
men."
11. A north-east rain spread a crust of ice on the walks,
which rendered pedestrianism difficult and dangerous
Mrs. Elizabeth Gansevoort, *relict of Conradt Gansevoort,
formerly of Albany, died at Holmdell, N. J., aged 82.
12. The weather quite cold and the ice strong The
rail road ferry boat discontinued her trips ; a bridge being
made from the dock to the ice to accommodate the business
of the road Edward T. Winslow died in Geneva aged
41.
14. Thermometer 6 below News received of the
death of J. K. Wing and Charles Thomas in California,
late of Albany. Thomas Scott died, aged 27.
15. The 41st anniversary ball of the Albany Republican
Artillery, at Bleecker Hall James Sainmons died, aged
55.
17. Damp day, with snow and rain Mr. Ruel Clapp,
died. His death supposed to have been caused by an affec-
tion of the heart. Mr. C. was attending to his business as
usual in the morning, and to all appearance, in good health.
18. Rain and snow Southern mail delayed Daniel
Bratt died.
330 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
19. A span of horses with a sleigh containing a farmer
and three females broke through the ice ; one horse lost.
20. John Phillips died, aged 24. Cornelia Dunbar Ben-
sen died, aged 18.
21. At a meeting of the common council, Alderman Sat-
terlee offered a resolution that Lydius street be opened from
Allen to Magazine street. Aid. Satterlee stated that in
looking over the files of Albany Gazette, he found that in
1817 these lands were sold by the common cofincil. They
were designated as being bounded on Washington and
Lydius streets, and were four miles from the Capitol. On
the 29th May, 1817, 4,284 acres were sold for $71,750, the
interest on the same from that day up to the present time,
about 28 years, is $140,630, making a total of $212,380.
Henry Yates now owns 1127 acres of this property on both
sides of Lydius street. On the entire line "persons owning
3000 acres have petitioned for the opening of the street, and
those owning 182 are against it A farmer's horses broke
through the ice below the ferry and were drowned.
22. The. walks were covered three or four inches in depth
with snow and water.
23. A mild and clear morning resembling spring
Mrs. Mary Van Bergen died, aged 79.
26. The weather mild, and spring like.
27. Warm and pleasant; the gutters filled with the melted
snow finding its way to the river.
28. Snow began to fall at 2 p. M., with an easterly wind.
......Mary Ann, wife of Lucien B. Laney, died, aged 32.
29. Sleighs were put in motion again Esther Maria,
wife of Kev. P. M. Way, died. Hannah C. Priest died,
aged 21. Anna E. Schuyler died, daughter of the late
Stephen P. Schuyler.
30. Thermometer indicated 4. A pleasant sun essayed
to counteract the rigors of a northern breeze John L.
Winne died, aged 77.
FEBRUARY 2. A fall of snow and sleet before daylight
covered the walks with splosh and supplied the gutters with
running water during the day.
3. Pleasant but cool, and the walks icy; inclement at
night Exercises in Church of the Holy Innocents for
the first time.
FEB."] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 331
4. A cold morning but sunny Janet Vanderheyden,
daughter of Jacob Vanderheyden deceased, late of Albany,
died at Bemis's Heights. Cornelia S., wife of A. A. Lan-
sing, died, aged 26.
5. Thermometer indicated 2 below in the morning
John Robinson convicted of manslaughter in the second de-
gree in killing Christopher Jocelyn in October last, and
sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Sing-Sing.
6. Coldest morning of the season : thermometer indicat-
ing from 4 to 12 below 0.
7. Weather moderated Election of officers of the
Young Men's Association in the Exchange. Rufus Gr.
Beardsley elected president; R. H. Northrop, vice presi-
dent; John N. Cutler, 2d do; Gr. C. Lee, 3d do.; James
I. Johnson, treasurer; J. B. Brinsmade, cor. sec.; Wm.
Barnes, rec. sec Mrs. Bridget McAnnespie died.
8. Angelica La Grange, wife of Solomon S. Leonard,
died, aged 35. James B. Williams, formerly of Albany,
died at Houston, Texas, aged 26.
10. The ice in the river took a start from the city of
Troy, in the morning, and at eight in the evening after two
or three moves, finally cleared away to a short distance be-
low, this city, Mrs. Sally Schuyler died, aged 41.
11. The ice which broke up in front of the city, became
obstructed a few miles below, causing a rise in the river,
which submerged the docks, and damaged goods in the
storehouses.
12. Catharine Farrall died, aged 42. Mrs. Hannah
Blake died, aged 81.
13. Weather pleasant and spring-like.
14. A slight fall of snow in the afternoon ; the water still
several inches deep on the floors of the stores on the dock
and pier.
15. The dam of ice which had formed just below the city
was strengthening daily, and the only outlet was through the
island creek. The old tree which stood at the point of the
island, under whose shade we have many a day sat and
passed the fleeting hours in angling, and which is dear to
the memory of all, has been uprooted and torn into a thou-
sand pieces by the ice and the flood. Express.
332 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
16. The Albany Daily Times first published by Heron,
Furman and Thornton, edited by Jacob T. Hazen.
18. Mrs. Elizabeth Jenkins died, aged 88. Mrs. Maria
Hookey died, aged 41. Mrs. Anna Staats, widow of the
late Col. Philip Staats, died, aged 84 The river closed
in front of the city, so as to obstruct the regular trips of the
rail road ferry boat.
1 9. ArJ)or Hill is rapidly improving. Its elevated posi-
tion renders it one of the most .delightful localities in the
city. A great many fine residences have been built within
a few months, and now that the park is enclosed, and men
of taste are attracted thitherward, we shall expect it soon to
become the most fashionable part of the town. Knicker-
bocker.
20. Charles Edward Judd died, aged 22.
21. William Marchael died, aged 31 Meeting of capi-
talists to consider the subject of a rail road through Water-
ford to Bennington, and thence to Rutland to intersect the
Boston and Burlington road A committee consisting of
Erastus Corning, Thomas W. Olcott, James Kidd, James
Edwards and Robert E. Temple, was appointed to memori-
alize the legislature for an extension of the Cohoes rail road
to the Vermont line near Bennington.
22. Anniversary of Washington's birthday, celebrated by
the military companies, and by the Young Men's Associa-
tion.
23. Mrs. Rebecca Baker died, aged 70.
25. A light stratum of snow lay upon the pavements in
the morning, which disappeared before noon A young
man by the name of Griffin killed by the falling of a clay
bank which was being excavated on Patroon and Swan
streets William Austin died, aged 74 Mary, daugh-
ter of John Van Valkenburg, late of Albany, died at Cin-
cinnati, aged 20.
26. Mrs. Abby Babcock, died, aged 84; late of Alleghany
county.
27. Jane Molloch died, aged 86.
28. Patrick Grout, engaged in excavating at the corner of
Colonie and North Pearl streets, was killed by the falling of
a clay bank.
MARCH.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 333
MARCH 1. A few inches of snow during the night hours.
2. Coroner held an inquest on the body of a man found
in the river near the foot of Maiden lane.
3. Dr. J. N. Campbell delivered a farewell discourse in
the old First Presbyterian Church, corner of Beaver and
South Pearl streets, selecting as his text the 17th verse of
the 4th chapter of James, in these words, " Therefore to
him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, it is sin."
Twenty years ago, when the reverend divine assumed the
charge of the congregation, he preached from the same text.
He stated that the society of the First Presbyterian Church
had been in existence seventy-eight years. The church was
crowded to its utmost capacity, and the discourse was one of
great interest throughout. On Sunday next the new edifice
on Hudson street is to be opened for public service for the
first time. Express.
4. Messrs. Tweddle & Darlington loaded the boat Gene-
ral Taylor, of Albany, Capt. McAllister, with 180 tons of
ice, destined for the Philedelphia market. It was taken
out of the canal between the two freight depots of the Boston
Rail Road Company, on the opposite side of the river
The river which had been open for some time, above and
below the city, was last night closed again, with strong
ice The southern mail did not reach here until half-past
two o'clock this afternoon.
5. A state convention of the friends of peace met at the
North Pearl Street Baptist Church, and were addressed in
the evening by Elihu Burritt Jane, wife of Theophilus
Roessle, died, aged 43 The Hibernian Provident Society
held its annual meeting, and elected officers, as follows ; Pa-
trick Grady, president ; John Higgins, 1st vice president ;
Patrick Cullen, 2d vice president; John Daly recording
secretary ; Daniel Boyle, corresponding secretary ; John
Seery, treasurer; Christopher Wallace, John Mulholland,
and Michael Berry, finance committee ; Edward Donahoe,
John Purcell, Patrick Flynn, Lawrence Dowd, Michael
Murtaugh, Hugh Coyle and Cornelius Ryan, executive com-
mittee.
7. Mrs. Nancy Alvord, daughter of Gen. Chauncey Hum-
phrey of Albany, died at Waltham, Yt.
334 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
9. The steam boat Buffalo arrived at 9 -o'clock in
the morning, and the Hudson arrived soon after Mrs.
Maria B. Miller, relict of Morris S. Miller, died at Utica.
aged 69 years. In 1804 the decased accompanied her
husband the late Judge Miller, from Albany to Lowville,
performing most of the journey on horseback. Some three
years afterwards she removed to Utica, and there resided
for more than forty years. The father of. the deceased, Rut-
ger Bleecker, of Albany, Gen. Schuyler, John Morin Scott,
and Gren. Bradstreet, were the original purchasers of Cosby's
Manor, and thus by inheritance she became one of the original
proprietors of the valuable site of Utica. Her first residence
was at the foot of Main street, near old Fort Schuyler.
10. The new edifice of the First Presbyterian church,
corner of Hudson and Philip streets, opened for public wor-
ship, the pastor officiating alone in its dedication. The
discourse of Rev. Dr. Campbell was truly eloquent and im-
pressive, and was listened to with intense interest by an
immense auditory. The learned divine took for his text the
2d chapter and 9th verse of Haggai, " The glory of this
latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord
of Hosts, and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord
of Hosts." The house was filled to its utmost capacity, and
large numbers were compelled to leave, being unable to gain
admittance. (See vol. I, p. 293) Eunice, wife of Philo
Booth, died, aged 54.
12. Juliette, wife of Hiram Wheeler, died.
13. Mrs. Hannah Gribson died, aged 88.
14. Since the opening of navigation there has been
a steady increase of business. The steam boats have brought
up large loads of merchandise. These, together with the
tows, have kept the draymen employed. The recent rain
has caused the river to rise rapidly and there is sufficient
water on the bar to enable laden vessels to pass over with-
out difficulty. Owing to the rain the market was inanimate
early in the day, but towards noon it cleared off and busi-
ness was resumed. The market is firm for flour, with sales
500 brls. at $4.87 a $5 for common to good state, $5.19 a $5.31
for Michigan, $5.37 a $5.50 for pure Genesee. Some 90 brls.
beef hams sold within a few days at 17 ; holders now ask 18.
A steady market for whiskey, with sales 72 brls. prison at
MARCH.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 335
24 Jets. ; demand fully equal to the receipts. Journal ......
Great improvements were in progress at the southern point
of the city, which was reclaimed from the water a few years
ago. North of the factory of Mr. Deyermand, Messrs.
Tracy & Edson had purchased a frontage on the river of 116
feet, upon which they intended erecting a distillery.
Mesrs. Yose & Co. were putting up a large brick building
to be used as a store house for their extensive stove esta-
blishment. There were also five or six large brick buildings
going up in the same neighborhood ; and the whole aspect
of the old pasture was being rapidly transformed. The lo-
cality bounded by Rensselaer and Pearl streets, and the
river and creek, were thus contemplated to be compactly
filled with factories and dwellings.
15. The Mohawk ice passed down the river this morn-
ing ...... The rains and warm weather caused the snow in
the surrounding country to melt so rapidly, that the river,
which had been very low, was again over the docks in cer-
tain places.
16. The snow which fell through the whole of the pre-
ceding day, melting as it reached the earth, congealed dur-
ing the night, producing just ice and snow enough on the
sidewalks to enable the boys who were out early to have
their last ride down hill ...... The steam boats Hendrik
Hudson and Manhattan reduced the fare to New York to
50cts., and the Buffalo to 25cts., in opposition to the rail
road line ...... Mrs. Mary M. Hubbard, wife of H. L. Hub-
bard, died...... Richard Barhydt died, aged 61 ...... The rear
wall of Messrs. Durant & Lathrop's grain store, corner of
Steuben street and the dock, fell during the night, casting
1000 bushels of oats into the yard.
20. Considerable ice formed in the river during the
night, which was a very cold one, and large quantities of
ice floated past the city during the day ...... A meeting of
the city capitalists to receive a delegation from Yermont at
the Capitol to .deliberate upon measures for the construction
of a rail road communication from Albany to Bennington ......
Foot race at the Bull's Head between Steeprock, Sharp
Shooter and Doctor. Steeprock won the race : one mile in
5m. 31Js.
21. Horace Randall died, aged 56.
336 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
22. Ann Eliza Fitzpatrick died, aged 17 A new bell,
weighing 2058 pounds, was hoisted into the steeple of the
old brick church, corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets,
recently vacated by the First Presbyterian society, and
now undergoing repairs for a society of Congregationalists.
23. Snowed all day.
24. Sophia, wife of George C. Gaynor, died.
25. Calvin Pepper died, aged 67.
26. Selleck Whitney, formerly of Albany, died in New
York, ajied 70.
30. Patrick Grady died, aged 35. "
31. Helen, wife of Amos Dodge, died, aged 45. John C.
Wait died, aged 32 During this month 126 persons had
required medical aid at the almshouse, of whom 13 had died
and 20 remained under treatment.
APRIL 2. The convention of democrats nominated Eli
Perry for mayor.
3. Eliza Osborn died, aged 21.
4. Convention of whigs nominated Franklin Townsend
for mayor.
5. Great freshet ; the water overflowed the dock and pier.
8. Snow upon all the surrounding hills, rendering the at-
mosphere cold and piercing Charter election: Franklin
Townsend elected mayor Mrs. Catherine, widow of the
late Isaac A. Quackenboss, and daughter of the late Gerrit
Bancker, of Normanskill, died at Erie, Pa., aged 96.
9. Hester, widow of Benjamin Van Zandt, died, aged 73.
Rebecca Jane, wife of Jacob Messenger, died.
11. Mrs. Ann Patton died, aged 69. Mrs. Prudence
Halsted died, aged 70. Sidney Wells died in California.
12. Caroline, wife of Wm. H. Rice, died, aged 33. D.
E. Hawley died, aged 40.
13. Snow during great part of the day...... An attempt
was made to fire the old Payn tavern in Broadway David
Redden died, aged 60.
14. William S. Relay died, aged 49. Lydia Ann, wife
of L. D. Ayery, and daughter of the late Jacob I. Cuyler, of
Albany, died at Aurora, N.Y., aged 48.
16. Sarah Matilda Carson, daughter of the late Isaac Mo-
Murdy, died in New York, aged 25.
MAY.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 337
19. Mary, wife of Oscar C. Betson, died, aged 32.
21. Jubal T. Russell died, aged 40.
22. The O'Reilly telegraph posts were erected throughout
the city, surmounted by gilded eagles Opening of the
canal.
23. Mrs. M. Catherine, wife of H. E. McAllister, died,
aged 23.
24. John Humphrey died, aged 62.
25. The Albany, Benniugton and Rutland RsOil Road
Company was organized under the general rail road law,
and the first meeting of the stockholders held. The follow-
ing were elected directors ; Erastus Corning, James Edwards,
William W. Forsyth, John Tayler Cooper, Marcus T.
Reynolds, Samuel Pruyn, James A. Wilson, John B. James,
Franklin Townsend, Charles Van Benthuysen, Wm V.
Many, John L. Schoolcraft, James Kidd Barent van
Everen died, aged 80.
26. Michael Keaty engaged with two others in digging a
drain in Lumber street, was killed by the caving of the
earth Mrs. Sarah Peters Munn, wife of Stephen B.
Munn, died, aged 72.
28. Rev. M. Van Waggoner preached his valedictory at
the Universalist church Lydia, wife of Eli Perry, died.
29. The water over the pier and still rising ; day rainy,
with lightning ; cleared off cool in the evening Fire in
Blunt's Building ; damage small.
30. Water still rising in the river; a great quantity of
logs and lumber floated past the city Meeting of the
directors of the Albany and Rutland Rail Road Company;
Marcus T. Reynolds, president ; James Edwards, treasurer ;
Albert D. Robinson, secretary Mrs. Maria Miller,
widow of the late Christian Miller, died, aged 87.
31. Ann Schuyler, relict of the late Matthew Goslee,
formerly of Albany, died, aged 86.
MAY 1. Meeting of water commissioners, who appointed
William J. McAlpine to examine the various projects for sup-
plying the city with water and to superintend the con-
struction of the work ...Jane M. Keogh died, aged 19.
3. Mrs. Catherine Fryer, widow of the late Isaac Fryer,
died, aged 85.
Annals, ii. 29
338 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
6. Meeting at the Capitol to discuss the practice of flogging
in the navy at which Dr. B. P. Staats presided A line
of omnibusses commenced running from the north to the
south ferry, through Broadway an experiment that had
been made before and abandoned The following per-
sons were elected managers of the Orphan Asylum for the
ensuing year; William James, John Q. Wilson, Marcus T.
Reynolds, James D. Wasson, Lawson Annesley, James Dex-
ter, Eli Perry, Ichabod L. Judson, William Thorburn,
John F. Rathbone, Daniel Campbell.
7. John Lawyer, a cab driver, drowned in attempting to
board the South America on her arrival The first
boat through from Buffalo arrived with 660 barrels of flour.
The docks submerged by another freshet.
8. Annual election of the Schoharie and Albany Plank
Road Association; the following persons were chosen direc-
tors for the ensuing year : James Kidd, S. S. Peck, Rich-
ard J. Grant, Albany; Jacob Vrooman, Samuel B. Ste-
phens, Ralph Brewster, Schoharie ; Benjamin Lee, Knox ;
Jonathan D. Wood Wright; George C. Batterman, Guil-
derland. James A. Tremere, Albany; Henry Slack, Guil-
derland ; and H. Warner, Wright, inspectors of election.
James Kidd was reelected president, Ralph Brewster,
secretary, and John G. Gebhard, jr., treasurer.
10. Barent W. Esmay died.
11. William Radley died, aged 50.
12. At 5 o'clock, p. M., the ceremonies of laying the
corner-stone of the new German Catholic Church, to be
erected on the corner of Hamilton and Philip streets, were
performed in the presence of a crowd of upwards of 3,000
persons. The stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop
M.cClosky, of the Roman Catholic diocese of Western
New York, and the usual ceremonies of the church per-
formed by him, aided by six priests, and the same number
of attendant pages, clothed in white surtouts. The bishop
wore a magnificent dress, his splendid mitre, and a gold
cross set in diamonds, and delivered a short discourse. He
was followed by the pastor of the German Catholics in this
city, in a brief address or sermon. That portion of the com-
munity is fast increasing in Albany, and the old church in
which they worshiped, was ill adapted to their wants. The
MAY.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 339
new one is to be a handsome, substantial edifice and an or-
nament to the city. Knickerbocker Sarah McDonald of
Albany, died at Aiken, S. C.
14. Samuel S. Fowler died, aged 51. Mr. Fowler was
long a resident of this city, where in early life, by his in-
dustry and integrity, he acquired a competent estate ; and-
although his residence for several years past has been on
the other side of the river, his business relations with the
city have been unchanged, and he remained up to the
time of his decease an active director and the vice presi-
dent of the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank.
15. Peter J. Martin died, aged 19.
17. Cyrus S. McCammon died, aged 27.
19. Sarah K., wife of William Wendell, died.
20. The weather continued cold and ivet ; fires being still
necessary," and snow, upon the hills north and east.
21. At a meeting of the Whig General Committee, the
folio wing officers were chosen for the ensuing year : S. H. H.
Parsons, chairman j Joseph Davis, 1st vice, and Geo. M.
Sayles, 2d vice chairman ; James Kidd, treasurer ; L. D.
Holstein and George C. Lee, secretaries Mary Ann
Walker died in Brooklyn.
22. The Albany City Savings Institution, chartered by
the last legislature, was open daily to receive deposits, and
on Wednesday evenings for females ; the following are the
officers of the institution : Erastus Corning, president ; John
Taylor, 1st vice president; James Maher, 2d vice president;
Watts Sherman, John T. Norton,. John Knower, Henry H.
Martin, Lansing Pruyn, James Goold, Samuel White, J. V.
L. Pruyn, Ellis Baker, C. W. Bender, William Humphrey,
James Kidd, Thomas Noonan, John McKnight, trustees ;
Watts Sherman, treasurer The old Albany Savings Bank
was also open daily for depositors, under the following officers :
John Townsend, president ; Teunis Van Yechten, 1st vice
president ; Samuel Stevens, 2d vice president ; William
Newton, William McHarg, James Taylor, Rufus H. King,
Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Gerrit Y. Lansing, Frederick I. Bar-
nard, Benjamin Tibbitts, James Stevenson, William E.
Bleecker, Robert H. Pruyn, Harmon Pumpelly, James D.
Wasson, Friend Humphrey, trustees; James Taylor, trea-
surer ; Robert H. Pruyn, secretary.
340 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
27. The body of John L. Lawyer, drowned two weeks pre-
viously, was found below the city Lawrence Dempsey
died, aged 52.
29. Joseph Dibble died, aged 55.
30. Maria J. Hoyt died, aged 87.
31. Twenty-two days of rain during the month.
JUNE 1. Rain. At a meeting of the journeymen printers
of the city at Clinton Hotel, the following were elected offi-
cers of the Printers' Union for the six months next ensuing;
Giles K. Winne, president ; John S. Nafew, vice president ;
A. F. Chatfield, rec. sec. ; R. F. Johnstone, cor. sec. ; D.
Farling, treasurer There had occurred in the eighth
ward 158 deaths within the year ending this day, according
to the census report. *
2. Rain. Anthony Charbonnon died, aged 36.
3. Rain.
5. Dinner given by the printers to the Hon. Edward Gil-
bert, of California, who was a journeyman printer in Albany
before the Mexican war.
6. The Caledonian Fusileers arrived from New York as
the guests of the Albany Emmet Guards, by whom they
were escorted to their quarters at Stanwix Hall Julius
R. Ames died, aged 49.
12. The steam boat Kosciusko left the pier for New York,
fare 6i cents.
15. The following were elected directors of the Water-
vliet Turnpike Company : John Townsend, John Knicker-
backer, James D. Wasson, Nathan Dauchy, Edward Learned,
Charles B. Lansing, Tjiomas Hillhouse, Stephen Van Rens-
selaer and D. T. Vail.
16. James B. Tyler died, aged 37.
17. John B. Robinson died, aged 21. Maria Louisa,
wife of Dr. David Springstead, died.
18. Robert Atkins died, aged 52.
21. Caroline Matilda, wife of Egbert W. Barnum, and
daughter of Lewis Benedict, died. Isaac Turner died, aged
50.
22. The amount of down freight on the Albany and Sche-
nectady Rail Road from the 1st June to 22d, 1849, was
1,045,554 Ibs; same time 1850, was 3,350,219 Ibs; Excess
in June, 1850, 2,304,665 Ibs; equal to about 225 per cent.
JULY.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 341
One-half of the above increase is owing to the great number
of cattle passing over the road toward Boston. This is a
new and valuable feature in the business of the roads, and
has been the result of the repeal of the tolls on live stock
passing over the roads parallel to the canal. The first class
passengers for the last few days, exceed those of the same
time last June by 2,500.
23. John Capron died, aged 59.
24. William Champlin, of Albany, was drowned in Scho-
harie creek, wbile bathing.
25. O'Reilly line of telegraph connected with New York.
26. The Horticultural exhibition at the Geological rooms
was a rare display of the products of the season, among
which were more than fifty varieties of stawberries.
28. Jane Ellen D. McKo.wn, wife of John C. Campbell,
died.
29. The Albany and Schenectady Rail Road negotiated
to-day their seven per cent convertible ten year bonds at
par to an amount sufficient to fund the entire amount of
their floating debt. The takers of these bonds were the
leading stockholders of this road in Albany and New York,
and they were taken for permanent investment. The road
had now none but a funded debt, and the entire net earnings
of the road were thereafter to be divided among the stock-
holders after reserving a sinking fund of not less than one
per cent or $10,000 a year. The prospects of this road
were now more favorable than at any time since it was built.
The track and equipage were in first rate order, and the in-
ventory larger than at any previous time. The receipts for
June exhibited a large excess over June of last year
Mrs Margaret Mclntosh died, aged 74. Owen Mead, aged
35, was drowned while bathing in the Island creek. Mary
Bruce, daughter of Thomas Hillson, died, aged 47.
JULY 1. Mrs Susan Foster died, aged 88. Mrs Mary
Curran died, aged 63.
3. Mrs. Phosbe Beardsley died, aged 77. William S.
MaGrowan died, aged 52.
4. INDEPENDENCE j celebrated by the usual processions
and ceremonies ; oration by William Barnes ; reading De-
claration of Independence by Walter R. Bush. The Young
342 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
Men's Association held their usual celebration in the after-
noon ; the Declaration was read by John N. Cutler ; an ori-
ginal poem was read by H. S. McCall; and an oration by
Isaac Edwards James Meads died, aged 29.
5. The city was visited at night, by a storm of thunder,
lightning and rain, the like of which had not been witnessed
in this city for thirty years ; and which, in this latitude,
is a rare phenomenon. It had all the characteristics of a
tropical storm, or rather, succession of storms, for it was pro-
longed from seven o'clock in the evening until after midnight.
The city seemed to be the centre of some extraordinary
perturbation of the elements ; and the whole dome of the
sky was kept illuminated with the sheet lightning with but
momentary intermissions of darkness, between the flashes.
Thunder and violent rain accompanied the manifestation.
The electricity seemed to pervade the whole atmosphere, and
to surround every object. After about two hours, a new
storm from the west was attracted hither, to intermingle in
the elemental strife, and sharp, forked lightning, rattling
thunder, and bolts that appeared to strike, added additional
grandeur and terror to the scene. From time to time, a
new phase in the storm showed that its wasting energies
were recruited by new arrivals of clouds, attracted to the
vortex which the atmospheric commotion and the altered
temperature produced. The rain fell in torrents and the
streets in all parts of the city were inundated, and in many
places the pavements torn up and much damage done to cel-
lars. A house or barn on the opposite side of the river was
struck and fired, and the blaze could be seen from the city.
The schooner Rockaway, lying at the pier at the foot of
Columbia street, loading with lumber, was struck by the
lightning, which descended the forward mast, winding
around it in its descent, shivering it to pieces, tearing the
sails, &c. The crew were in the cabin and escaped unin-
jured. The sloop J. K. Polk, lying in the upper part of the
basin, and one or two other vessels were also struck, but no
material injury was done. The day had been extremely warm
and close. Much injury was done to the Rural Cemetery,
the roads being broken, and the embankments destroyed,
and large trees torn down by the storm. Express.
JULY.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 343
6. High water in the river caused by the heavy rains of
th'e preceding night.
7. A rail road train left for the west at night, with two
days mails, there having been no communication with the
west .since Friday night, on account of the damage by the
storm.
8. The corner-stone of Grace Church, a new house of
worship to be erected on the corner of Washington and
Lark streets, was laid by Bishop Whittingham, assisted
by Rev. Drs. Potter and Kip of this city, and Rev. Mr.
Bostwick of Fort Edward.
10. Splendid exhibition of the Albany and Rensselaer
Horticultural Society at the Geological Rooms Intelli-
gence of the death of General Taylor, president of the
United States, reached Albany James Noonan died,
aged 19 Mrs. Mary Reynolds died, aged 60.
It. Edward B. Colburn died, aged 48.
12. Francis N. Selkirk died, aged 44.
14. Business suspended in the morning and the stores
hung in mourning in honor of the funeral of President
Taylor at Washington.
15. Margaret C., wife of John B. Stonehouse, died, aged
32. Henry Salisbury died, aged 68.
16. Jacob Griffin, Jr., aged 30, was drowned by the up-
setting of a sail boat.
17. Funeral procession in honor of the late President of
the United States, Zachary Taylor. It was one of the most
imposing that had ever been witnessed in the city. George
Benton drowned, aged 18.
18. Francis Kant was drowned.
19. Great rain storm A man drowned at the Co-
lumbia street bridge.
20; High water for sixth time this season ; the pier and
docks submerged Mrs. Elizabeth Russell died, aged
65. Timothy Spiers died, aged 62.
21. The flood which had begun to inundate the docks on
Friday, reached its greatest height about 9 o'clock in the
morning, when it was higher than had been known for
several years, and the current of the river running at the
rate of seven miles an hour. The docks were submerged
several feet, and the gardens on the island below the city
344 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
were from three to five feet below the surface of the water,
and the crops totally destroyed Richard Merrifield
died, aged 67. Mrs. Skerrett died.
22. Mrs. Margaret E. Dempsey, daughter of John C.
Feltman, died, aged 27.
23. The children of the Orphan Asylum had an excur-
sion to Kinderhook.
26. Exhibition and procession of the District School
children of the city, who turned out with their teachers
to the number of about 2,500, and held their exercises in
the Capitol park Margaret Ann Thornton, of New Hamp-
shire, was found dead in her bed at the Delavan House,
from the use of chloroform.
28. John Griffin died, aged 64.
30. Mrs. Fanny Hand died, aged 50.
31. Michael Kennedy drowned, aged 23.
AUGUST 2. A barge laden with 12,000 bushels of corn
sunk in the river a short distance below^the city Alicia
Maria, wife of Thomas J. Tuite, and daughter of John Cos-
tigan, died at Cincinnati, aged 26.
3. John Clark died, aged 74.
4. Peter Hughes was drowned at the Steam boat Banding.
Thomas Van Heynigen died, aged 24.
5. The Republican Artillery left the city in two barges
with excellent music and other arrangements for a pleasure
excursion to Hudson The Burgesses Corps took the
Rip Van Winkle in the evening for New York, on their
annual excursion Election of officers of Mechanics'
Benefit Society ; William A. Carr, president ; John Vos-
burg, 1st vice president ; Oliver Houle, 2d vice president ;
James A. Buckbee, treasurer ; R. S. Cushman, secretary ;
S. L. Hodgkins, assistant secretary ; J. W. Hinkley, physi-
cian. Stewards: 1st ward, H. F. Near; 2d ward, Michael
Delehanty ; 3d ward, John Byrnes ; 4th ward, Paul Cush-
man ; 5th ward, William A. Rice ; 6th ward, Daniel Boyle ;
7th ward, J. W. Parsons; 8th ward, Alexander Sickles;
9th ward, E..C. Batcheldor ; 10th ward, J. H. Waggoner.
6. By the books of the deputy marshal, the census of the
eighth ward just completed, was 6126, being an increase of
AUG.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 345
1300 in five years. There were 1155 families in the ward,
and 718 houses Mrs. Edward Pacy died, aged 54.
7. Excursion of the Universalist Church sabbath school
by steam boat to Beeren island. The steam boat American
Eagle and two barges were freighted with a greater number
of people than were ever before known to embark upon a
similar expedition from this city.
8. Francis McLelland, owner and master of a canal boat,
drowned by an accidental fall into the river Frederick
Platto, formerly of Albany, died at Sullivan, Madison county,
aged 55.
9. Mrs. Margaret Bergen died.
10. The Burgesses corps returned from their excursion
to New York, Providence and Boston, and partook of a sup-
per at the refectory of John McCardel, in Beaver street, by
his invitation...... George W. Burk, formerly of Albany,
died at Sandusky city, Ohio A frost in the vicinity,
which touched lightly some" of the city gardens.
11. John F. Stadtler died, aged 33. Volkert Austin
died, aged 78.
13. William Hotaling, formerly of Albany, died in West-
chester county, aged 40.
14. Mrs. -Margaret Finch died, aged 33.
.15. The volunteer night watch succeeded in arresting one
of the burglars which had infested the city for several weeks,
and who were engaged in opening the store of Mr. William
Mitchell, in Broadway. The burglar captured was Hugh
Johnson. The watchman, James Wilson, was shot in the
face. These depredations had been made every night for a
month An Englishman named Nichols committed sui-
cide by shooting himself through the head with a double
barrelled fowling piece Mrs. Ann McHench died.
16. Another of the burglars disturbed the night previous
was taken during the day. It was John Finnegan, the one
who shot Wilson.
19. Mrs. Margaret M. Helnie died, aged 52.
20. William Stevens died, aged 33. Elizabeth Dubois
died, aged 82.
22. Mrs. Agnes Johnson died, aged 29.
23. John Hawthorn drowned in the Basin, and the body
of a man found, which had the appearance of being several
346 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [i860.
days in the water The water commissioners, on behalf
of the common council, purchased the Patroon's creek, with
1 and sufficient for all the purposes contemplated, for $150,-
000. The water leases, which paid an annual rent of about
$8,000, but only ran for from three to seven years, were
included in the purchase.
24. Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Van Valkenburgh, formerly
of Albany, died at Utica.
25. Lucia Marvin, wife of Thomas Olcott, died, aged 25.
27. Upwards of 70,000 baskets of peaches arrived in
market from New Jersey, sold at from 12J to 37? cts
James Wilson and Thomas Mead, who were instrumental in
arresting the burglar Johnson on the night of the 15th
Aug., received from the citizens a donation of $1,125.
28. Daniel Fry died, aged 42. Abraham Phillips died
at Ithaca, aged 23, formerly of Albany.
29. John D. Fisher died.
30. Robert Wallace died, aged 40. John Hodge died,
aged 55.
SEPTEMBER 2. A drenching rain, the like whereof was
not remembered The common council determined to light
the city with spirit gas, instead of oil as heretofore.
2. The church of the Holy Innocents was consecrated by '
-the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whittingham, according to the ritual of
the Episcopal church. Among the officiating clergymen pre-
sent, were the. Rev. Mr. Reed, rector, Rev. Dr. Potter and
Rev. Mr. Davenport, and several others from abroad. The
bishop administered the rite of confirmation to some 20
persons Frederika Bremer, the Swedish authoress, ar-
rived in the city The river much swollen by the rain of
the previous day. At nine o'clock in the evening the water
was over the docks, but soon after b'egan to fall.
4. State fair opened at Bull's Head on the Troy road
Abigail Mott of Albany, died at Battle Creek, Mich.
5. The second day of the fair, on which occasion the city
was visited by the greatest multitude of strangers it had
ever witnessed. The New World brought up 1200 passen-
gers. The avenue to the fair grounds was thronged all day
with an interminable mass of people moving up and down,
enveloped in a cloud of dust so dense as to render it inipos-
SEPT.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 347
sible to discern objects across the road. At seven o'clock a
rain storm came up which continued until morning. The
number of tickets sold, 40,000. It was estimated that over
6000 vehicles were in attendance upon the fair Hon. D.
D. Barnard appointed minister to Berlin.
6. Francis Schadelle died, agad 33.
7. The State fair closed. The net income was $10,465.10,
being double that ...of any two previous fairs of the so-
ciety George George died, aged 59.
9. Jane Roessle killed by an accident on the rail road.
10. Joseph R. Pitcher died, aged 23.
12. Fires were required in many houses by reason of the
coldness of the weather Catharine E., wife of Isaac Rose,
died, aged 24. Sanders Van Rensselaer died, aged 35.
13. Abraham Baum, a German, accidentally fell into the
river and was drowned Lord Elgin, governor-general of
Canada, left this city for New York in the Hendrik Hudson.
14. Henry E. Hills died, aged 20 John Norton, for-
merly teller in the State bank, died at Buffalo.
16. Catharine Barton died, aged 40.
16. Sarah Ann, wife of Andrew Passenger, died.
17. The water commissioners opened the various pro-
posals which had been submitted for the construction of
the projected water works. Nearly one hundred proposals
were sent in from various sections of the state. The work
was awarded to the following persons: Brick, to Dennis
McCall, of Albany; retaining reservoir, Andrew Brigham,
of West Troy; receiving reservoir, Aspinwall & Jackson of
Albany; section No. 1, William J. Martlett, Syracuse;
conduit sections Nos. 2 and 3 to A. G. Sage, Chittenango.
The proposals were twenty-five per cent lower than the esti-
mates of the engineer, bringing the entire cost to about
$600,000.
18. Andrew Brand, the Kentucky giant boy, died, aged
16. The deceased came to this city about four weeks pre-
vious to this time, for the purpose of attending the state fair,
accompanied by his brother and two friends, and not being
in good health was immediately after his arrival prostrated
by an attack of intermittent fever", from which he never re-
covered. In size he was probably the most extraordinary
person in the world ; his advertised weight previous to his
348 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
demise, being 537 pounds. He measured over 6 feet around
the body, and 4 feet 8 inches round the thigh. His age
was less than 16 years.
19. Sanders Lansing, formerly of Albany, died at Man-
heim, aged 85. He was born and educated in the city of
Albany, and passed the greater portion of his life in the
place of his nativity. For the last thirty years he had been
a resident of Herkimer county. A member of one of the
most ancient families in the state> he was intimately con-
nected with many of the distinguished men who acted a
prominent part in the scenes of the revolutionary war, and
who participated largely in the formation and establish-
ment of our state government. He was one of -the last
links in the chain which connected the present generation
with the immediate actors .in those memorable scenes.
While the Hon. John Lansing, a brother of the deceased,
held the office of chancellor, the subject of this notice was
the register of the court of chancery. He held the office of
county judge, and other places of trust and responsibility.
At a good old age he descended to the tomb, sustained by
the confidence and hopes that Christianity inspires, and sur-
rounded by numerous friends and relatives who cherish his
memory with respect and affection. His widow survived
him but four days.
20. Torch light procession at night, in honor of a com-
pany of firemen from Utica on a visit Mrs. Elizabeth
Cluett died, aged 85. Mrs. Sarah Lay died, aged 52.
21. The St. Charles Hotel in Hudson street burnt.
23. Eliza Gushing, wife of Granville Slack, died, aged 42.
24. Torch light procession in the evening by the fire de-
partment, in honor of the Howard engine company which
arrived from New York on a visit.
28. James Kidd appointed postmaster in place of Lewis
Benedict.
30. James A. Pratt died at Binghamton, aged 29.
OCTOBER 1. Hannah Briggs died, aged 71.
2. The contract for the construction of the Albany and
Rutland Rail Road from Rutland to the New York state
line was closed, conditioned that the road should be ready
OCT.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 349
for the rail on the first September next Samuel Waddell
died, aged 59.
3. Meeting of colored and uncolored citizens at the City
Hall on the fugitive slave law.
5. John Regan died, aged 51.
6. Arthur Bulgin, book keeper and accountant, was
found dead at the door of his room in Blunt's Building ; age
35. Richard Cooper died
7. Mrs. Esther, wife of Michael Artcher, died, aged 50.
8. Ground was broken for the erection of a row of splen-
did stores on the old Eagle Tavern lot, by Mr. Delavan
Annual election of the Burgesses Corps when the following
were elected for the ensuing year : Military., B. R. Spel-
man, captain ; J. W. Blanchard, 1st lieut. ; S. W. Whit-
ney, 2d lieut. ; Hale Kingsley, 3d lieut. ; E. J. Lansing,
1st sergt. ; E. A. Benedict, 2d. sergt. ; Win. 0. Muir,
3d sergt. ; John Hastings, 4th sergt. ; Staff, Lewis Bene-
dict, jr., quarter-master; W. J. Thomas, pay-master; J.
McMichael, surgeon ; William Davis, chaplain ; Civil, John
R. Taylor, president; Joseph Clinton, vice president; Wm.
0. Muir, treasurer; J. C. Cuyler, secretary; S. W. Whitney,
asst. secretary Sarah, wife of Erastus Hills, died, aged
53. Mrs Hannah L. Warren died, aged 68.
14. Cornelia Knower, wife of Peter D. Stevens, died,
aged 27.
12. Some idea of' the magnitude of the freight business
at the depot of the Western rail road at East Albany, may
be gained from the fact that two hundred and fifty cars per
day were loaded aud sent off. The freight business of last /
month, at that place was larger than in any other previous f
September. In October, 1849, eight freight trains were
sent off one morning. The freight bills of that day amounted
to over $5000.
14. Canal receipts in Albany for the 2d week in October :
flour, 50,294 brls. ; ashes, 276 do; whiskey, &c., 326 do;
corn, 33,090 bu. ; barley, 100,010 do; oats, 45,600 do; rye,
4,270 do; wheat, 60,782 do; peas and beans, 1,220 do;
potatoes, 4,580 do ; seed, 19,400 Ibs. ; butter, "92,140 do;
cheese, 291,400 do; lard, 72,700 do; wool, 10,250 do.
16. Helen, wife of James Gourlay, died, aged 76.
Annals, ii. 30
350 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
17. Matthew Trotter died at sea, on his return from France,
whither he had been for the recovery of his health.
19. John A. Zuliinan died, aged 21. Isabella Clark,
wife of Charles 0. Hagan, died, aged 46.
21. John Kerin died, aged 27. Henry Kelley died, aged
30.
23. Ashley Scovil died, aged 52. Martha, wife of Chaun-
cey V. Crapo, died, aged 23.
25. The common council, by a vote of 15 to 1 adopted
the report of the water commissioners recommending the
purchase of the Patroon's creek for supplying the city with
water. A loan of three hundred thousand dollars was nego-
ciated with Rufus H. King and Watts Sherman for the
purpose of prosecuting the work Lucy Jane Osterhout
died, aged 35.
26. John Harris died, aged 53. A man, name unknown,
walked off the Steam boat dock and was drowned.
27. Catherine, wife of Augustus Waterman, died, aged
20. Hezekiah W. Whitney, late of Albany, died at Mil-
waukie, aged 66.
28. High water caused by the drenching rains of the
previous thirty-six hours. The island at the lower end of
the city inundated for the eighth time this season, causing
great damage to crops ...The Van Namee Guards, a
corps composed entirely of hatters, went out for a target
exercise. The prizes, consisting of a silver cup and gold
pencil case, were won by B. Lockwood and Teunis Visscher.
20. The horse boat attached to the Greenbush ferry
sunk at five o'clock in the morning with 8 horses and milk
wagons on board, four of which were lost overboard.
30. A fly wheel cast at Low's furnace weighing six tons,
said to be the largest one ever cast.
31. House's Telegraph line having been completed, went
into operation this day, forming the third telegraph line.
NOVEMBER 2. Margaret Paddock died, aged 23.
5. Election day. John L. Schoolcraft reelected to Con-
gress; A. J. Colvin, district attorney; Hamilton Harris
and Eli Perry, assemblymen. Greatest number of votes
polled in the county for any two candidates, 13,906.
Nov.] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 351
6. Walter B. Thayer, of Albany, died, at Cannelton,
Indiana, aged 42.
8. Mrs. Francis' Dougherty died, aged 64.
9. Celebration of the completion of the Albany and Mo-
hawk Plank Road, took place at the aqueduct.
11. Martin Lawlor died, aged 52.
12 Bartholomew Van Valkenburgh died, aged 49. Lucia
M. Gregory died, aged 41. Nathaniel Ring died, aged 84.
Joseph Sherwood died, aged 22.
14. Annual meeting of Albany County Medical Society.
Address by Dr. James McNaughton, president. Officers
chosen for the ensuing year; James H. Armsby, president;
William F. Carter, vice president ; 13. A. Sheldon, secretary;
J. B. Rossman, treasurer ; John Swinburne, librarian;
P. McNaughton, Howard Townsend, P. P. Boyd, Uriah G.
Bigelow, and Leonard G. Warren, censors Annual meet-
ing of St. Andrew's Society, when the following Ameers were
chosen for the ensuing year : Dr. James McNaughton,
president; D. D. Ramsey, 1st vice president ;' Lithan Algie,
2d, do. ; Rev. Peter Bullions, chaplain ; Dr. Peter McNaugh-
ton, physician ; William Gray, treasurer ; Peter Smith, jr.,
secretary; Robert Cameron, assistant do.; Peter Smith,
Alexander Gray, James Dickson, James Duncan, George
Young, managers Sarah Welch died, aged 16.
15. Annual' meeting of Phoenix engine company, the fol-
lowing were elected officers for the ensuing year ; J. B.
Stonehouse, president; J. Kearney, 1st assistant ; D. Winne,
2d assistant; G. Campbell, clerk; P. Hewson, steward.
17. The sloop Index, Capt. Morris Bumpus, arrived on
her return trip from New Bedford, having made two trips
of 400 miles each, equal to 800 miles in 8 days. She left
this port on the 9th inst., fully laden, and arrived at New
Bedford on the llth. She discharged her cargo, reloaded
in part, sailed again on the 14th, and arrived here on Sunday
evening, the 17th. During the run she encountered con-
siderable head winds, and when within twenty miles of New
York on her return, nearly a whole day was passed in a
calm. This favorite vessel is the property of Capt. Gibb.
18. Canal receipts, Albany, Nov. 18: flour, 25,310 brls. ;
ashes, 298 do.; beef, 1520 do.; whiskey, &c., 6380 galls.;
352 Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
barley, 18,250 bu. ; oats, 6000 do. ; wheat, 14,600 do. ;
potatoes, 1000 do .; seed, 5100 Ibs. ; butter, 79,700 do.;
cheese, 95,900 do.; wool, 14,900 do.; hams and bacon,
21,800 do The first snow storm of the season occurred
before daylight, and was perceptible on the surrounding
hills after sunrise Sarah Johnston died, aged 92.
19. At a meeting of the stockholders of the Utica and
Schenectady Rail Road Company, the president of the road,
Erastus Corning, of this city, was voted a service of plate,
for his long and valuable services, for which he has always
declined to receive any compensation .In the early part
of the week, three brigs arrived at Hudson from Maine for
the purpose of loading. The high water enabled them to
reach Albany, they being of such a large draft of water that
in an ordinary state of the river they would have been una-
ble to reach our port. They were towed up and loaded with
staves from J;he stave yard of Mr. William H. Dewitt, and
immediately left for the southern market. Their presence
in our harbor was the subject of great curiosity among our
commercial men Maria, wife of Aaron S. Ward, died.
Mrs. Mary Percy died.
20. A lad named David Barscall drowned at the Rail
Road ferry. Sarah, wife of Wm. M. Graves, died, aged 22.
21. Introductory lecture before the Young Men's Associa-
tion by Charles King of New York, and poem by Wm. L.
Learned, in Pearl Street Baptist Church.
25. A new company, the Schoolcraft Light Horse, num-
bering 120, under Capt. James B. Harris, went out for a
target excursion to Sloan's tavern in Gruilderland. The first
prize, a silver goblet, was won by David Osterhout; the
second a silver cup, by Mr. Schoonmaker, the third a gold
pencil case, by Mr. Henderson The Corning corps, num-
bering 120, under Capt. John Osborn, went to Crane's
tavern on the Troy road, for target firing. The first prize a
$100 dollar watch, was taken by John Clark ; the $30 silver
goblet, by Alexander Thompson; the $15 gold pencil case,
by John Ingmire, and the $10 gold pencil case, by William
Dwyer Mrs. Hannah Hilton died, aged 51.
26. The streets were whitened with snow in the morning,
which disappeared in a few hours; the day dark and rainy.
'Nov.'] Chronicle of Events in Albany. 353
27. Harvey Kilbourn, of St. Louis, died at the Franklin
House, aged 45. Abigail, -wife of Samuel Carter, died,
aged 53.
28. The machinists of Jagger, Treadwell & Perry's
establishment organized as a military company, under the
name of the Eagle Guards, turned out for a target excur-
sion Thomas J. McCall died.
29. The Emigrant's Friend Society, organized for the
protection and assistance of emigrants, elected the following
officers: Hon. Franklin Townsend, mayor, president; John
Tracey, vice president; R. M. Van Sickler, rec. sec.; C.
P. Williams, . treasurer; James Maher, John 0. Cole,
James Dexter, I. N. Wyckoff, H. B. Haswell, M. McMa-
hon, directors The quantity of flour, wheat, corn, and
barley left at tide water during the 4th week in Nov., in
the years 1849 and 1850, was as follows:
Flour, brls. Wheat, bu. Corn, bu. Barley, bu.
1849, 270,426 212,183 84.644 88,448
1850, 301,500 490,215 35,419 93,066
Inc. 31,074 Inc. 298,032 Dec. 49,225 Inc. 4,618
The aggregate quantity of the same articles left at tide
water from the commencement of navigation to the 30th
Nov., inclusive, during the years 1849 and 1850, was as
follows :
Flour, brls. Wheat, bu. Corn, bu. Barley, bn.
1849, 3,191,864 2,667.802 5,053,559 1,390,737
1850, 8,170,272 3,566,551 3,219,476 1,723,914
Dec. 21,592 Inc. 888,749 Dec. 1,834,083 Inc. 333,177
The aggregate quantity of the same articles left at tide
water from the commencement of navigation to the 30th
of Nov., inclusive, during the years 1848 and 1850, was as
follows :
Flour, brls. Wheat, bu. Corn, bu. Barley, bn.
1848, 3,074,292 . 3,038,168 2,886,575 1,544.603
1850, 3,170,272 3,556,551 3,219,476 1,723,914
Inc. 95,980 518,383 832,901 179,311
By reducing the wheat to flour, the quantity of the latter
left at tide water this year, compared with the correspond-
354
Chronicle of Events in Albany. [1850.
ing period of last year, shows an increase of 156,157 barrels
of flour.
The following table shows the quantity of some of the
principal articles of produce left at tide water from the
commencement of navigation to the 30th of Nov., inclusive
during the years 1848, 114 days; 1849, 114 days; 1850,
122 days :
1848.
Flour, brls., 3,074,292
Wheat, bu ., 3,083,148
Corn, bu ., 2,886,575
Barley, bu., 1,544,603
Rye, bu., 284,472
Other grains, bu.,. . . . 1,425,739
Beef, brls., 61,075
Pork, brls., ' 89,760
Ashes, brls., 63,676
Butter, Ibs., 23,516,783
Lard, Ibs., 9,775,277
Cheese, Ibs., 22,985,803
Wool, Ibs., 8,736,660
Bacon, Ibs., 8,201,865
Stephen Harris died, aged 61.
1849.
1850.
3,191,864
3,170,272
2,667,802
3,556,551
5,053,559
3,219,476
1,390,737
1,723,914
313,272
608,834
1,376,558
2,404,326
99,861
88,065
73,312
46,621
56,180
36,421
20,510,411
16,607,981
9,051,821
8,276,934
41,622,669
32,125,874
12,633,096
11,860,756
8,422,242
9,514,421
Statistics. 355
STATISTICS.
CITY FINANCES, 184950.
The annual report of the chamberlain for the year ending May
1, 1850, was referred by the common council to the finance com-
mittee consisting of Visscher Ten Eyck, C. P. Williams, and John
D. Hewson, who, on the 12th August, made the following report
on the condition of the finances of the city.
The financial affairs of our city, from their magnitude and varied
character, require from the officers connected with their manage-
ment a strict devotion to duty, as well as zeal, promptness, fidelity,
system and good order to control and govern all their operations.
The essentials are now the prominent features of the chamberlain's
office; and the officers connected therewith, are justly entitled to
the commendation of the board for the faithful manner in which
they have discharged their laborious and highly responsible duties.
. Beceipts and Expenditures The aggregate amount received by
the chamberlain from all sources, during the past year, including
$41,668.78, the balance on hand
May 1, 1849, was $695,366.67
Expenditures during the same period 627,635.42
Leaving a balance on hand, May 1, 1850, of $67,731.34
In the year 1844, when the annual report of the chamberlain was
made, the city had available means, applicable to the support of
the city government of $19,464.67
In the year 1845 10,677.81
do 1846..... 6,797.98
do 1847 793.70
do 1848 662.35
do 1849 ' 41,668.78
do 1850.. 67,631.34
The large balance of 1849, and the still larger balance of 1850,
are the results of the operations of the law of 1848. In former
years the amount raised by tax for support of the city government
was nearly if not entirely exhausted on the 1st of May, by its ap-
plication to the payment of temporary loans. These loans were
made in anticipation of the annual taxes, and the means realized
therefrom were required for the ordinary expenditures of the city.
By a strict adherence to the requirements of the law above referred
to, and a due regard to economy in the administration of the affairs
of the city, these temporary expedients may be in a great degree,
if not entirely, avoided.
356 Statistics.
Loans and Interest. The amount of temporary and other loans
made during the past year is $190,000.00
During the same period the amount paid and cancelled
by the city was $192,008.75
Cash paid to trustees of sinking fund for
the same purpose 178,700.00
370,708.75
Making a diminution in the debt of the city in one year
of $180,708.75
Of this amount, $153,415.36 was received from the state under
the provisions of the law of 1859 relative to the Albany basin. The
further sum of $20,000 was received from the state under the pro-
visions of the same law, but the applications thereof by the city
was changed by a law passed at the last session of the legislature.
This $20,000 formed a part of the moneys paid by the city to the
Pier proprietors, to procure their assent and release required in
the law of 1849 relating to the Albany basin.
The amount raised by tax during the past year on account of
interest on the city debt, was $45,500.00
Amount received of the Albany and Schenectady Rail
Road Co., and from other sources 9,830.74
Making a total of $55,330.74
The expenditures during the same period were 61,991.11
Leaving a deficiency of > $6,660.37
This deficiency was caused by the accumulation of interest on the
bonds held by the state, and which were paid and cancelled by
carrying into effect the law of 1849, above referred to.
City Lamps. The amount raised by tax during the past year
for the maintenance of the city lamps was $10,000.00
The expenditures during the same period were 10,489.17
Leaving a deficiency of $489.17
This deficiency was occasioned in part, if not entirely, by the
high rates of oil during the past year.
The expenditures for the city lamps were,
In the year 1844, $7,135.90
1845, 7,121.58
1846, 10,899.49
1847, 9,076.85
1848, 9,207.30
1849, 9,342.60
1850, 10,489.17
Statistics. 357
A part of the city lamps are now maintained under the provi-
sions of a contract made with the Albany Gas Light Company.
The expense attending the execution of the contract can always
be estimated, a.nd it can be increased or diminished by the com-
mittee of the board having this- subject in charge. The expense
attending the oil lamps is variant and must continue so, under the
present system ; and your committee would suggest that measures
be adopted by the appropriate committee to ascertain if the contract
system can not be carried into effect for these lamps, and a large
saving to the city be realized by its adoption.
Markets. The aggregate amount received from butchers for
licenses and for rents of the several markets and out stalls, during
the past year is . $1,819.08
Expenditures during the same period 1,369.58
Leaving a balance in favor of the city of $449.50
Of this balance the sum of $225 was realized from the lease of the
North market, which being deducted from $449.50 would leave
$224.50 as the net sum received by the city for the use of the large
amount of property connected with the Centre and Vegetable
markets.
From the year 1835 to 1845, the average annual net income de-
rived from the several markets was $342.13, and from that period
up to the present year, the average annual revenue was $915.69 ;
a revenue entirely below a fair compensation for the use of so
arge an amount of real estate.
Common Schools. The amount raised by tax during the past
year for the support of common schools and the erection of a school
house, was $9,503.36
Amount received from the School fund 4,501.68
For tuition.. 301.00
Making a total of . . . /. $14,306.04
Expended during the year 15,340.46
Leaving a deficiency of $1,034.42
The Ferry. There has been received during the past year from
the lessee of the ferry the sum of $1,525.00
Expenditures during the same period for repairs 273.34
Leaving a net revenue of $1,251.66
The ferry is now under the operation of a lease or contract, and
the city is realizing annually therefrom a fair equivalent for its
use, whilst, under the old system, its management and maintenance
was attended with expenditures far above the revenues received.
Night Police. The amount authorized to be raised annually by
tax for the support of the night police under the provisions of the
2d section of the act of March, 1848, is $17,000.
358 Statistics. '
The amount raised during the past year under the authority
conferred by the 3d section of said act, was $18,000.00
The amount expended during the same period was.. . . 16,979.46
Leaving a surplus of. * . . $1,020.54
Day Police. The amount expended during the past year for
the support of this department, including the salaries of the police
justices, was , $4,249.29
Making an aggregate for the support of -the night and
day police of $21,228.75
This sum ought, in the opinon of your committee to be sufficient
to secure a united and always reliable night and day police for our
city, which would be prompt and efficient in its operation, and are
preferable to the system now existing.
City and County Poor. There was expended during the past
for the maintenance of the Alms House $15.405.87
For temporary relief in the city, salaries, cholera ex-
' penses, &c 12,885.83
Making a total of... $28,291.70
During the year 1849, the expenditures for the same objects
were $26,127.49
During the year 1848 33,966.34
" 1847 20,455.73
" 1846, 18,797.51
Justice's Court. The amount received during the past year from
this court for fees was , $2,667.84
Expenditures during the same period to the justices for
salaries 2,630.00
Leaving a balance in favor of the court of $37.84
Fire Department. The amount expended during the past year
for the support of this department was $20,476.47
Of this sum $2,598.57 was expended for the Hose depot, $1,303.58
for new hose, and $890 for fire policemen.
Contingencies. The amount received during the past year on
this account from taxes was $40,000.00
From the state under the law of 1849, relating to the
Albany basin 20,000.00
From fines imposed by the Albany special sessions,
($1,240.50) rents, surveys, and sundry other items, $14,699.86
$74,699.86
Expenditures during the same period 59,998.55
Leaving a balance in favor of the city of 14,701.31
Statistics. 359
City Debt. On the first day of May, 1848, the debt of the city
was. . i $877,896.93
On the first day of May, 1849 858,396.93
Making a diminution during the year of. $19,500.00
On the first of May, 1850, the debt of the city was $677,688.18
Showing a reduction during the past year of $180,708.74
The debt here stated does not include the contingent liabilities
of the city, viz : $100,000 of the bonds of the Albany and gchenec-
tady Rail Road Company, guarantied by the city, and falling due
in the year 1852 ; and 1,000,000 of city bonds issued to the Western
Rail Road Corporation. These liabilities of the city are amply
secured, and they can not therefore be classed as a debt, for the
payment of which means should be provided.
Your committee have stated that the debt of the city on the 1st
day of May, 1850, was. $677,688.18
From this there should be deducted the sum of $125,-
000 loaned to the Albany and Schenectady Rail Road
Company, and upon which they pay an interest of 5 per
cent ; and also further the sum of $123,468.80, being the
ain't expended by the city for the same company, for
the purchase of the depot and track in the city, which
sum, according to the terms of the agreement, is to be
refunded to the city or interest paid thereon, at the ex-
piration of the 20 years, at the rate of 5 per cent per
annum, making an aggregate of. 248,468.80
Leaving the actual debt of the city $429,219.38
Under the restraining operations of the law of 1848, this debt
can be steadily and successfully reduced each year, if the common
council on their part carry into practical operation all the require-
ments therein contained. To reduce taxation and lessen the bur-
dens of our citizens should be the constant aim of all, and in order
to do so effectually, great care must be exercised in the prosecution
of new improvements. If improvements are directed by the board
and the owners of the property benefited by the improvement are
negligent or remiss in their payments, the deficiency must be
raised by taxation. If the common council are profuse in their
expenditures for the public lamps, or the night police, or in the ordi-
nary contingent expenses of the city, all deficiencies beyond the
amount received during the previous year must be raised by taxa-
tion.
It is this inattention to small matters in the beginning, which
has been the cause of rolling up this large debt against the city,
and to cancel which all our energies should now be directe.d
During the past year it became necessary to renew some of the
loans of the city, and for that purpose stock was issued amounting
360 Statistics.
to $50,000 bearing an interest of 6 per cent. This loan was taken
by Watts Sherman, Esq., of tins city, and upon which the city real-
ized a premium of If per cent, being the first premium ever re-
ceived by the city.
During the month of May last, a further loan was negotiated
with the same gentleman for $100,000 of the city bonds, bearing
an interest of 5 per cent. This loan was taken at par, and the
amount realized therefrom is to be applied to the payment of city
"bonds, bearing an interest of 7 per cent, and falling due during the
present and ensuing years.
To provide means for the gradual payment of our present debt,
and the necessary increase which must inevitably follow, when the
water law is carried into effect, requires the board to be firm in the
discharge of their duty, and to be governed and directed by the
restraining law of 1848, before referred to, and all other laws which
may tend to the same result.
The character and prosperity of our city depend, in a great
measure, upon the faithful discharge of the trust committed to our
care ; and it is for us to determine by our acts, whether the credit
which our city now enjoys shall continue to grow and flourish, or
be reduced to that low standard under which we groaned a few
years since.
ASSESSORS' VALUATION.
From the Albany Evening Journal.
From many untoward and disastrous circumstances, the citizens
of Albany, for several years past, have been burthened with what
may be very justly termed most enormous rates of taxation ;
reaching a point far exceeding that of any city in the Union. The
causes which have produced such results have been numerous and
in many instances, unavoidable ; while, in other cases, it has been
the result of mismanagement and political maneuvering. The
failure of the Canal Bank was a sad blow to the moneyed interests
of our city, and coming at a time, too, when we were sorely scourged
by conflagrations, the finale to which was the devastation of nearly
one-eighth of our city. The basin assessment has been hanging
over our heads like a leaden weight, completely crushing us and
retarding our progress. From these and other numerous causes,
rates of our taxation havebeen rangingfrom two to two and a quarter
per cent, and on one occasion going beyond even that high figure.
It will be a matter of congratulation to every Albanian, that we
have at last emerged from the woods, and are now so firmly esta-
blished on a good, sound basis, that we can rejoice at our deliver-
ance, and look with bright hopes to the future. We have recovered
from all our disasters; that incubus, the basin assessment, is
wiped away ; our limits are extending on every side ; the last ves-
tiges of the fire of 1848 are rapidly disappearing, and our popula-
tion has, in spite of all the stumbling blocks cast in our way,
reached over 50,000, an increase of over 12,000 since the last census.
Statistics. 361
We feel that we have a right to rejoice for all these favorable re-
sults, and should any of our friends need additional cause for such
manifestations, we have only to call their attention to the returns
of the Assessors for the present year.
In the year 1849, the entire amount of real and personal property
returned as assessed by the common council, amounted to $11,971,-
274.38. For the present year the amount returned is $12,602,284.-
85, or an increase of $630,415.47 over the year 1849. The increase
over 1849, when distributed among the wards of the city is as for-
lows:
REAL ESTATE.
1st Ward 1850 $422,665
1849 400,880 $21,785.00
2d " 1850 602,010
1849 591,440 10,570.00
3d " 1850 903,186
1849 874,015 29,171.00
4th " 1850 1,925,175
1849 1,879,448 45,727.00
5th " 1850 1,916,196
1849 1,912,306 3,890.00
6th " 1850 1,003,360
1849 930,050 73,210.00
7th " 1850 583,289
1849 514,935 68,354.00
8th " 1850 387,635
1849 351,860 35,775,00
1850 853,009
1849 814,993 38,016.00
1850 833,575
1849 781,365 52,210.00
9th
10th
Total increase of real estate, $378,708.00
PERSONAL ESTATE.
1st Ward 1850 $5,500
1849 4,455 $1,045.00
2d 1850 32,300
1849 27,300 5,000.00
3d " 1850 92,200
1849 38,500 53,700.00
4th " 1850 766,822
1849 713,666 53,156.00
5th " 1850 1,928,617
1849 1,896,240 32,377.00
6th " 1850 151,950
1849 123,450 28,500.00
7th " 1850 44,200
Annals , ii. 31
362 Statistics.
7th Wi
8th
9th
10th
Totali
ird 1849 $17,000 $37,200.00
1850 6,500
1849 6,800
1850 103,500
1849 63,000 40,500.00
1850 40,000
. 1849 29,500 10,500.00
ncrease of personal estate, $251,978.00
" real estate, 378,738.00
Total excess, $630,415.47
TOTAL VALUATION.
1st Ward $428,165.00 6th
3d " 634,310.00 7th
3d " 995,386.00 8th
4th " 2,691,997.00 9th
5th " 3,844,813.00 10th
1,155,310.00
627,489.00
394,135.00
956,509.00
873,575.00
Total, $12,601,689.85
The above statement gives us ample cause for congratulation,
and although we have been groping in darkness for a long time,
the day is breaking and light is pouring in upon us. As another
gratifying evidence of our progress we would state that the rate of
assessment will be about 1.70, where it was $2 to $2.25 last season
THE MAYOR'S STATEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL CONDI-
TION OF THE CITY.
Mayor's Office, Albany, May 25, 1850.
WATTS SHERMAN, ESQ.,
Sir, In accordance with your request, I take pleasure in present-
ing to you the following statement of the financial condition of
the city of Albany :
For many years prior to- 1847, the public debt of the city had
been gradually rolling up, from the operation of the same causes
which produce individual embarrassment ; an expenditure greater
than the resources, and a reluctance to resort to those trenchant
and restrictive measures necessary, as well to reduce the evil as to
prevent its recurrence. But in the year 1847, the finance commit-
tee of the common council, convinced of the necessity of preventing
any additions being made to the debt, and also of providing for its
liquidation, recommended a restraining law, which was passed by
the legislature of the state in 1848.
Statistics. 363
This law is one of the most restrictive character : requiring that
all expenses of the city government, and the deficiencies arising
from the non-payment of assessments for street improvements, to-
gether with the interest and ten thousand dollars of the principal
of the debt, shall be raised by taxation annually : and also provid-
ing that no expenditure of the public money, except for the ordinary
expenses, which with the amounts, are specified in the law, shall
be made, unless the appropriations for the same shall have been
passed by the votes of two-thirds of all the members of the common
council.
On the first day of May, 1848, the debt of the city (exclusive of
the loans made to the Western Rail Road Corporation, and to the
Albany and Schenectady Rail Road Company, both of which are
so amply secured that they can not be considered absolute liabili-
ties of the city), amounted to $752,896.93. Since that date, this
debt has been reduced $211,764.90 ; and the exact amount of the
same at this present time, is $541.132.03.
This rapid extinguishment of so large a portion of the debt, re-
sulted from the assumption by the state of a part of the expenses
which the city had incurred for the excavation of the basin at the
eastern termination of the Erie and Champlain canals, and from
the effect of the restraining law before alluded to.
There is every probability that the amount which will be real-
ized by the trustees of the sinking fund from taxation, receipts from
the sales of city property, and payments of assessments, will not
fall short of $20,000 annually. As this fund is sacredly pledged
for the redemption of the debt, it is sufficiently evident that the
liquidation of the same within a reasonable period, is placed be-
yond contingence. In addition to all this, the city, in its corporate
capacity, possesses property which may be fairly valued at $415,000,
of which $375,000 are invested in real estate, and $40,000 in the
stocks of water works, insurance and plank road companies.
The population of the city as shown by the last census which
was taken in 1845, was 42,189. The increase during the then
previous five years was 8,476. The census which is to be taken this
year, will probably show the present population to be over 50,000.
The value of the taxable property in the city as shown by the
assessment rolls returned to the board of supervisors, in November,
1849, was $11,971,203.
In speaking of the value of the taxable property, it should be re-
marked that although the assessment rolls furnish the only criterion
by which the aggregate value can be ascertained, they are by no
means a correct one. To lessen the amount which each county
must pay towards defraying the general expenses of the state, it
has been, and still continues to be the practice of the assessors in
most of the counties, to value property at much less than its actual
worth. In this respect, the county of Albany is not an exception ;
and, therefore, the assessors of this city have established a standard
of valuation which is equal to about sixty-five per centum. For
364 Statistics.
this reason, the value of the taxable property in the city of Albany
may be safely estimated at $18,000,000.
Trusting that the information here contained may serve to main-
tain the high credit which our city already enjoys,
I remain very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
FRANKLIN TOWNSEND,
Mayor of the City of Albany.
TAXES FOR CITY GOVERNMENT.
The following statement of the amounts raised by tax for the
support of the government of the city, is gathered from the reports
of the finance committees of the years 1848 and 1849 :
Amount required to be raised by tax for the support of the city
government, 1848.
For night police, '. $18,000.00
Public lamps, 10,000.00
Contingent expenses, 30,000.00
Fire department, 5,000.00
Interest on city debt, 47.000.00
School house on Arbor hill, 7,000.00
Temporary relief of city poor, 7,000.00
Account of city debt, 10,000.00
Improving streets, 22,500.00
Support'of common schools, 9,003.36
Total, $165,503.36
Amount required to be raised by tax for the support of the city
government, 1849.
For night police, '. $18,000.00
Public lamps, 10,000.00
Expenses of fire department, 20,000.00
Contingent expenses (ordinary), 30,000.00
On account of payment to pier proprietors to ob-
tain their consent to the law relative to expendi-
tures for excavating Albany basin, &c., 10,000.00
To pay interest on city debt, 45,500.00
On account of sinking fund, 10,000.00
For support of common schools, ,. . . . 9,003.36
For alterations and repairs to district school No.
10, 500.00
For temporary relief of city poor, 5,000.00
Probable balance that will remain unpaid May 1,
1850, on assessments, and apportionments for
improving streets, &c., approved and confirmed
during the year ending Nov. 1, 1848, 10,000.00
$168,003.36
Statistics. . 365
PAUPERISM IN ALBANY.
From May 1st, 1849, to May 1st, 1850, overseer of the poor of the
city of Albany gave permits to 1,373 persons to enter the Alms-
house ; of which number 169 were Americans, and 1,204 were
foreigners ; of the latter number 737 were chargeable to the com-
missioners of emigration.
The ages of those admitted were as follows : 202 were under 5
years ; 190 were 5 and under 10 years ; 79 were 10 and under 15
years ; 112 were 15, and under 20 years ; 320 were 20 and under
30 years ; 218 were 30 and under 40 years ; 152 were 40 and under
50 years ; 62 .were 50 and under 60 years ; and 32- were over 60
years.
Of the above number, 6 were idiotic ; 19 were insane ; and 563
were afflicted with various diseases.
The amount collected by the overseer from the commissioners of
emigration, during the year, on account of board of the emigrants
supported in the Almshouse, and paid over by him to the chamber-
lain of the city, to be placed to the credit of the county, is $2,405.97
The additional amount audited and allowed by said
commissioners for the like purpose, the payment of
which has been withheld for the want of funds to pay
the same, is 2,038.39
Making a total credit to the county, $4,444.36
The amount collected from said commissioners and paid
to the chamberlain on account of temporary relief, is 2,542.26
The amount audited and allowed by the said commis-
sioners, and remaining due the city, is 2,598.08
$9,584.70
During the year he assisted 1560 persons principally heads of
families by affording temporary relief, exclusive of fuel ; he also
aided in the funeral expenses of 270 deceased persons, who died
within the year, which expenses amounted in the aggregate to
$914.25. Of the whole number thus relieved 280 were native born
citizens, and 1550 were foreigners, 718 of the lal^er were charge-
able to the commissioners of emigration ; and of the former, 38
were persons of color.
Of the whole number assisted 1555 received less than $5 each,
166 received from $5 to $10 each, and 109 received more^han $10
each, one of the latter received $72, that being the largest amount
given to any family.
The number of families who shared in the distribution of the
fuel during the past winter, is 804, composed of 3162 persons.
The heads of the families thus relieved may be classified as follows :
Americans, white, 177 ; do. (colored) 62 ; foreigners, 565 ; of the
latter 212 were chargeable to the commissioners of emigration.
366 Statistics.
For the purpose of granting the above temporary relief, and of
meeting the incidental expenses of his office, the undersigned drew
orders on the chamberlain for the payment of money to different
persons amounting in the aggregate to $7,118.39
From which deduct the following, to wit : for accounts
charged to county for cholera and other expenses, in-
curred by the city, prior to Nov. 13, 1849, which
accounts were audited and allowed by the board of
supervisors amounting to $550.40
Amount of similar accounts chargeable to the county
from Nov. 13, 1840, to May 1, 1850 84.30
Blank books and stationery for office, 67.89
Desks and repairs to office, and other incidental expenses 49.87
Delivering wood to indigent families, $ 145.50
Amount collected from commissioners of emi-
gration and paid to chamberlain on account
of temporary relief, : $2,542.26
Amount audited and allowed by said commis-
sioners not collected, -. 2,598.08
Making a total amount of credit $6,038.30
Balance, exclusive of fuel and incidental expenses... I, 1
To which should be added the expenses incurred by
the city for fuel delivered during the past winter to
indigent families, to wit : 291 cords of wood
at$5.51, $1,603.41
Amount paid for delivering same, 145.50
258| tonsof coal at $4.38, 1,132.96
Total for fuel $2,881.87
Balance of expenses for temporary relief proper $3,961.96
The number of cords of wood on hand belonging to the city is 150.
The overseer during the year took the affidavits of 986 emigrants,
principally heads of families (representing 2606 persons), who for
the first time applied for relief at his office. All of whom were
relieved by him 1 ; either by sending them to the Almshouse, or by
giving out door or temporary relief.
COMPARISON OF TAXES FOR 1849 AND 1850.
1850. 1849.
Expenses of night police, $18,000.00 $18,000.00
public lamps 8,500.00 10,000.00
Interest on city debt, 35,500.00 45,500.00
Amount carried forward, $62,000.00 $73,500.00
Statistics. 367
Amount brought forward, $62,000.00 $72,500.00
Sinking fund, 10,000.00 10,000.00
Contingent expenses, < 27,000.00 30,000.00
Fire department, 15,500.00 20,000.00
Temporary relief to city poor, 3,000.00 5,000.00
Common schools, 9,853.36 9,503.36
Deficiencies improving streets, 3,500.00 10,000.00
On account payment to pier proprietors, 10,000.00
Totals $130,853.36 $168,003.36
ALBANY AND SCHENECTADY RAIL ROAD.
The following facts are gathered from the annual report of the
condition of this company made to the comptroller on the 30th
November :
Capital stock subscribed and paid in, $1,000,000
Funded debt as by last report, 552,000
Total amount of funded debt, 700,000
Total amount of funded and floating debt, 700,000
Average rate per annum of interest on funded debt, 6f per ct.
Cost of road and equipment, 1,711,412.30
Length of road nearly 17 miles ; double track 9 miles ; weight
of rail, 60 Ibs. per yard. The company own 3 engine houses and
shops, 7 engines, 36 first class passenger cars, 33 second class do.,
45 mail and baggage, and 34 freight cars.
Miles run by the passenger trains 51,545 ; do., freight 32,248 ;
freight carried 63,012 tons ; number of passengers carried over
road 284,279.
Expense of maintaining road, $19,000.10
repairs of machinery, &c., 5,924.87
operating the road, 66,247 01
Total expenses, 91,171.98
Earnings from passengers, 132,207.69
freight, 70,242.69
rents and mail services, 6,134.50
Total earnings, ' $208,584.88
The receipts are the same as the earnings.
Transportations including tolls paid state, $91.171.88
Paid interest, 38,808.67
dividends, 70,000.00
Surplus fund, 8,604.23
Total amount of surplus and reserved fund, 25,000.00
368 Statistics.
ALBANY AND WEST STOCKBRIDGE RAIL ROAD.
Capital stock subscribed and paid in, $1,000,000.00
Floating and funded debt, 930,895.01
Cost of road and equipment, 1,930,895.01
Length of road 38 miles. The company have leased the road to
the Western Rail Road Corporation ; the expense for repairs of
machinery and running the road, are paid by the lessees.
BASIN EXCAVATION.
It was charged in August, that the person having the contract
for removing the earth which had accumulated in the Basin, had
dumped it near the channel below the city. The editor of the
Express, having investigated the matter, made the following state-
ment. It is interesting as showing the changes which the channel
of the river is subject to in the neighborhood of the city.
During the last spring freshet, the ice formed a complete dam,
from a point a few yards south of the termination of the docks near
the island, and a new channel was made by a diversion of a great
body of the water which was flowing down the river. When this
formidable barrier was worn away, it was found that an entire new
channel had been made through the creek, and running out into
the river at an opening in the dyke, nearly opposite the Abbey, and
the flats had been materially increased, in very many places. The
forwarding men who are most deeply interested in the navigation
of the Hudson, last year had a channel cut through these flats upon
the western side of the river, and when the work of excavation of
the basin was commenced, made a visit to this formidable obstruc-
tion. Upon consultation they arrived at the conclusion that by les-
sening the depth of water upon these flats by depositions of earth, it
would be forced into the original channel of the river, and in a
great degree aid in rendering it navigable for vessels. Accord-
ingly, the earth dug from the bed of the basin, is taken in scows
to the flats, and dumped upon them, so as to lessen the quantity
of 'water in that locality, and throw it over into the channel.
These deposits are of a hard formation, impregnated with clay,
and remain in their position, notwithstanding the ordinary current ;
rivermen contend that it is proving an advantage to the navigation
instead of a detriment, and is consequently worthy of approval.
When the bill authorizing the removal from the basin, of the ob-
structions to its free navigation, was pending, it was contended
that the work would cost from $150,000 to $200,000. The whole
expense, however, will not exceed $35,000. The lower section will
be completed on Saturday, after having dug out over twenty thou-
sand yards of earth affording eight feet of water in every portion
of the same. The upper sections will also be soon finished,
Statistics. 369
THE BARLEY TRADE OF ALBANY.
Albany is the barley market of tlie Northern and Eastern states,
and of many of the cities in the Atlantic states. Purchases have
been made here during the past season for points as far south as
Charleston, while with Baltimore and Philadelphia a large busi-
ness has been transacted. To show the increase of the trade in
this article within the last few years, we give from official docu-
ments the receipts of barley at tide-water for a period of nine years ;
1838, 677,338 bush. 1847; 1,523,020 bush.
1841, 121,010 " 1848, 1,548,197 "
1844, 818,472 " 1849, 1,400,194 "
1845, 1,137,917 " 1850, 1,720,000 "
1846, 1,427,953 "
At Albany almost the entire of these receipts are sold. Of the
new crop of the last season, of which we estimate that at least,
1,600,000 bushels were received at tide-water, we have reported
sales in this market of 1,330,000 bushels. In these reported
sales the contracts made with. our brewers early in the season for
delivery of barley are not included, and allowance should also
be made for sales which were not reported to us. If we place the
sale of the new crop in this market at 1,430,000 bushels, we think
we shall be within the mark. Of the value of the contract, sales
and the sales not reported to us, we can not make any esti-
mate, but we have made a valuation of the actual transactions
reported, reaching to about 1,330,000 bushels; all of the new crop,
and find it amounts to the sum of $1,008,574, an average of 76 cents
on the bushel. The lowest figure paid was 65 cents, the highest
101^. The greatest number of bushels sold at one price was 117,500,
which brought lOOc. ; 89,100 bushels were sold at 85c. ; 77,200 at
77c. ; 75,100 at 60c. ; 69,500 at 78c. ; &c., &c., and the smallest
quantity sold at any one figure was 700 bushels at 97c. It will
be seen that the receipts of barley at tide-water for the season
which has just closed, are 1,720 000 bushels, exceeding our estimate,
which was considered a rash one, made at the opening of the new
crop, 120,000 bushels, and exceeding the receipts of any previous
season. The high prices realized during this season will no doubt
be a, sufficient inducement to farmers to sow a greater breadth of
land than usual with this grain. Whether the next season will call
out the crop to such an extent as to justify the payment of high
prices, is a problem yet to be solved. Argus.
370 Hills and Greeks.
HILLS AND CREEKS.
For the past twenty years there has been a species of civil war
going forward between the lads and young men residing on the
hill, as the Texan section of Albany is called, and the creek, as the
upper part of the 8th ward is styled. We remember twelve or
fifteen years ago, that these feuds were of a serious character ; on
one occasion a Creek who had ventured from his valley, upon the
hill, was set upon by a large party of Hills, who pounded the life
nearly out of him, when he fired a pistol and they retreated just
far enough to enable him to limp down hill all bruised and bloody,
being well revenged a night or two thereafter, for two of the Hills
who strayed down into the creek, were attacked and soon trans-
formed from tolerably good looking fellows into mummies. There
were in those days frequent fights, in which one hundred and fifty
persons, and often as many as two hundred, were engaged. Many
who were engaged in them have grown up to manhood, become
peaceable and influential members of society, and their children have
succeeded them in carrying on the war. The combats within the
last eighteen years between the Hills and Creeks, would fill vo-
lumes. -For the last ten years the war has been carried on, but
with less spirit, and at times lengthy cessations of hostilities. On
Saturday, Nov. 4, however, it was renewed, and on sabbath after-
noon the Hills and Creeks met again upon their old battle ground.
The Creeks marched up hill, and the Hills drove them down
again, when the latter sallied down and were driven back in great
haste by the valley men ; and woe to the straggler or cripple who
could not run fast and lagged behind his fellows. The running
fight, which lasted several hours, attracted great crowds of specta-
tors. No one, we are glad to say, was seriously hurt. This spe-
cies of sabbath breaking and disgraceful wrangling should be
stopped by the interference of a strong body of policemen. If such
civil war is allowed to exist, it will soon be as of old, unsafe for
persons residing on the hill or in the creek, to venture into the
districts of the contending parties. It is morally wrong that such
occurrences should take place in a law abiding community.
Knickerbocker.
INDEX.
Abeel, Christopher, freeholder, 283
Gerrit, assistant alderman, 200
Johannes, 94, 107, 113, 119, 120,
246, 247; justice, 106; council-
man, 94, 105 ; alderman, 240, 245,
250, 251; mayor, 251, 259, 262,
265
Stoffel Janse, 99. See Stoffel
Janse, and Evert Janse.
Abercrombie's army, 312
Abrahamse, Jacob, 119
widow of Jacob, 256
Melgert, 115, 119
Act of 2 per cent, 1693, 253, 261
Adgate, Matthew, 287 ; for assembly-
man, 293
Adochtirasse, 162
Adriaensz, Rutger, 280
Aernoutts, Hendrik, soldier, 222
Aersen, Joris (George), 216, 217, 218,
219, 220
Aiadane, sachem, 44
Albany Academy medals, 320
and Mohawk plank road, 324
beer, price of, 230
chartered, 56
City Tract Society, 325, 326
claimed to be the place to hold
treaties of peace, 165
Daily Times begun, 332
description of, 48
expedition to, 222
Gazette by Robertsons, 284; by
Webster, 286; enlarged, 295;
semi-weekly, 300
inhabitants manufacture wam-
pum, 6
Institute, 285
Insurance Company, directors, 328
Journal, 1788, 298
petition for better defense of, 253
Register founded, 298 .
Republican Artillery ball, 329
sends reluctant aid to Sehenec-
tady, 179
soldiers for garrison at, 221, 222,
223
Aldermen, 1687, 93 ; 1688, 94; 1689, 103:
assistant, see councilmeu; fined
for absence, 85 ; first board, 65, 83 ;
fine for refusal to serve, 72 ; surety
for city loan, 96
Alexandria, houses, 1785, 295
Algie, Lithan, 351
Allan, John, 202
Allen, Henry A., 324
Allyn, John, letter to Leisler, 206
Almanac first printed, 290
Almshouse, 1849, 327 ; 1850, 358 ; health
of, 336
Alofsen, S., translates Schuyler's jour-
nal, 237
Alvord, Nancy, 333
William, takes medal, 320. '
Ambercrombie's army, 55
Ames, Julius R., died, 340
Amsterdam chamber, complaint to,
33 ; merchants, suit by, 242
Andrew, Janet, died, 325
Andriese, Jan, 92
Jurian, soldier, 223
Andros, Edmund, 94, 200 ; neglects to
confirm Van Rensselaer's title, 56;
example to be made of, 141
Annals of the year 1849-50, 324-354.
Annapolis, houses, 1785, 295.
Annesly, Lawson, 338
Appel, Adriaen, 256, 259 ; his house to
be pulled -down, 182; ganger,
228; grant of lot to, 183
Johannes, 119, 247, 266; assessor,
245 ; chamberlain, 251 ; consta-
ble, 103, 123; plaintiff, 252, 253,
254 ; representative, 265 ; sheriff,
246, 262; signs against Leisler,
135; treasurer, 258; juror, 243
Willem, 212
Appell, Joh., 267
Aqueduct, 1686, 86; 1779, 285; creek
purchased for, 346 ; project of, 337,
Arachkoenichta, 162
Arbor Hill improved, 332
Arentse, Gerrit, soldier, 221; takes
oath, 124
Arentsen, Binnonie, 212
Arms deposited in the church, 107 ;
importation prohibited, 15
Armsby, James H., president County
Medical Society, 351
Army encampment, 312
Arnold, Isaac, trader, 290
Arnout's letter from the Maquase, 113
Artcher, Mrs. Michael, died, 349
372
Index.
Articles with Milborne, 148
Ashley's ferry named Troy, 300
Askanga, Indian owner, 19
Aspinwall & Jackson, contractors, 347
Assemblymen elected, 1785, 292
Assessment voted for, 92
Assessors elected, 85 ; valuation, 1849-
50,360-362
Assistant aldermen, first board, 65, 84.
See election.
Assize, collecting of neglected, 223
Atkins, Robert, died, 340
Atonement for dead by savages, 235
Aukus, Douwe, ensign, 209, 237 : Leis-
ler's justice at Schenectady, 171
Hille, 154
Indian interpreter, 159, 160
Austin, Volkert, died, 345
William, died, 332
William, Jr., takes medal, 320
Avery, Mr. L. D., died, 336
Babcock, Mrs. Abby, died. 332
Backer, Abram, for assemblyman, 293
Jochim Weasels, 281
Baker, Ellis, 339
John, soldier. 223
Rebecca, died, 332
Bakers complained of, 97; petition
for advance on bread, 240 ; regula-
tions of, 245
Bakker, Jacob, 270
Balch and Fryer, merchants, 287
Balentine, Solomon, 285, 286
Balstown vote, 1789, 300
Baltimore, houses, 1785, 295: popula-
tion, 296
Banker, Evert, 107, 111, 113, 115, 119,
120, 121, 125, 126, 129, 143, 148,
158, 164, 167, 168, 181, 184, 192,
193, 213, 246, 252; alderman, 105,
200, 240, 245, 250, 251, 257; con-
curs in protest, 177; constable,
94; councilman, 94, 103, 106
Gerrit, subscription to war fund,
119; daughter died, 336
Banks, Capt. 246
Barbar, Thomas, soldier, 223
Barber, Robert, prints Register, 298
Barclay, Daniel, trader, killed, 290
Barends, Matthew, soldier, 221
Barensen, Catlyn, 212
Barents, Reynier, 111, 119. 129, 136, 143,
150, 158, 164, 167, 182, 184, 185,
186, 195, 209, 213, 242; agent to
New York, 192; agent to pro-
cure aid, 193; assistant alder-
man, 240, 245; councilman, 93,
94, 103, 105 2 106; did not under-
stand English, 193 ; instructions
to, 194- lieutenant, 237
Barheyott. Wouter, freeholder, 283
Barhydt, Richard, died, 335
Bark canoes, 210
Barley trade, 1838-1849, 369; statistics,
1850, 353, 354
Barnard, D.D., minister to Berlin, 347
Frederick J., 339
Barnes, Wm., 331, 341
Barnet, Robt., takes oath, 124
Barnsford, Christoph, takes oath, 124
Barnum, Mrs. Egbert W., died, 340
Barrack street, derivation of, 303
Barratt, Robert, Jun., freeholder, 282
Barrett, Thomas, 291; road master,
293
Barrington, Nicholas, school of, 288
Barry, Thomas, merchant, 285
Barscall, David, drowned, 352
Barsett, John, soldier, 221
Barton, Catharine,, died, 347
Leiftenant Rodgar, 222
Basin excavation, 3b8
Bass in Hudson, 316, 319
Basset, Michael, freeholder, 282
John, ordained, 297
Bastiaensz, Harmen, 280
Batcheldor, E. C., 344
Battle New Orleans, anniversary, 328
Baum, Abraham, drowned, 347
Baxter, Major, 109
Beardsley, Phoebe, died, 341
Rufus, G., Pres. Y. M. Association,
331
Beasley, John, freeholder, 282 ,
Beaver Block, 294
skins, duty on, 36 ; exported, 42 ;
price of, 238, 239
Beck, T. Romeyn, 327; address by,
306
Becker, Jan, 119, 256, 267; assessor,
245, 251; called to account, as
city treasurer, 251 ; signs against
Leisler, 134
Johannes, the younger, 257 ; signs
against Leisler, 135
John, alderman, 105, 200; assist-
ant alderman, 257; constable,
240 ; treasurer, 103, 245, 248, 249
Bedding furnished to soldiers, 266
Bedell, David A., died, 326
Beeckman, Martin, soldier, 222 ; free-
holder, 283
Beef, price of, 334
Beeker, Abraham, 287
Johannes, express to Leisler, 117
Beekman, Capt., 181, 184; volunteers
to aid Albany, 123
Cornells, 270
Gerardus, 139, 287
Hendrick, firemaster, 88; free-
holder, 283 ; signs against Leis-
ler, 134
Joh, 111, 113, 115, 119, 139, 199, 254 ;
assessor, 240, 245; councilman,
94 ; freeholder, 282 ; justice, 106 ;
juror, 243
Beer excise, 34, 37 ; good [i. e., strong],
244
Index.
373
Be'eren island, excursion to, 345 ; forti-
fied, 19 ; Indians, 184 ; limit of col-
onie, 25 ; signification of name, 316
Belcher, Capt., 114
Bender, C. W., 339
Benedict, Caroline Matilda, died, 340
E. A., 349
Lewis, postmaster, 348
Lewis, Jr., 349
Benjamin, G. W., 325
Bennet, James, 171
Bennitt, Ens., 184
Bensen, Cornelia Dunbar, died, 330
Egbert, 316, 317, 318
Leift Job, 120
Sensing, Dirk, 119, 241, 242; appraiser
of houses to be taken down, 182 ;
treats with Milborne, 155
Johannes, his house a retreat, 115 ;
captain, 209
Benson, Judge, account of funeral cus-
toms, 307
Benton, George, drowned, 343
Berg street, now Chapel, 303
Bergen county made wampum, 6
Margaret, died, 345
See Van Bergen and Gerritsen
Berry, Michael, 333
Pieter, soldier, 221
Bethlehem, fort at, 115
Betson, Mrs. Oscar C., died, 337
Betts, Daniel, 326 -
Mary, died, 326
Sever kil, 267 ; question of title, 261 ;
king's highway west of, 96
Beverwyck, 9, 37 ; court of justice for,
31, 32; early name of Albany, 279;
now Albany, 311 ; so called, 57 ;
its site, 311, n.; cut off from Colo-
nie, 25, 27; enclosed by board
fence, 278; improvements at, 13;
excited by armed posse, 15
Bickford, Leift Abra., 255
Bigelow, Uriah G., 351
Billets offered to Milborne, 139
Billou, Pierre, 270
Bissel, Giacomo, 274
Blagge, Captain Benjamin, 200, 202,
232 ; sent in pursuit of Rob. Liv-
ingston, 204
Blake, Mrs. Hannah, died, 331
John, merchant, 287
Blanchard, J. W., 349
Blanks, Nicolaes, 211
Bleeker, Captain John, 104, 116, 127,
136, 172, ^~
177, 179 ; his company,
113, 116; to pull down houses,
183; to repair stockadoes, 115;
his kettles distrained, 227 ; Leis-
ler willing to treat with, 117
Ens. Job, 209
Hall, its site, 287
Hendrick, freeholder, 282
Henry, 328
Jacob, road master, 293
Bleeker, Jan, 90, 107, 111, 128, 129, 158,
178, 182, 184 ; alderman, 106, 120 ;
assessor, 258 ; first chamberlain,
65, 148, 164, 167, 170; on select
committee, 193
Jan Janse, 84, 91, 113, 119, 123, 124,
125, 166, 186, 192, 198, 199, 207,
213, 247, 267; captain, 143, 147,
260; alderman, 93, 94, 103, 240,
245, 258 ; first alderman, 65, 83 ;
justice, 216, 217, 218, 219, 237;
his opinion on Leisler 1 s author-
ity, 171 ; delegate, 216
Jan, Jr., signs against Leisler, 135
Johannes, 246, 254; freeholder,
282; Job., Jun., 256, 257
John, 185, 242 ; alderman, 105, 200,
250 ; Indian interpreter, 317
John N., overseer poor, 293
Nicholas, freeholder, 282
Nicholas, Jr., freeholder, 282
Rutgert, 311 ; freeholder, 282 ; pur-
chaser of Cosby 's manor, 334
William E., 339
Blockhuijse, 268
Bloodgood, Abraham, merchant, 292
Mrs. Lydia, died, 290
William, 290
Blue Belle tavern, 285
Blue Stocking, Capt., proposal by, 177
Bogardus, Antlesius, freeholder, 282
Pieter, takes sides with Milborne,
137, 155; in Leisler's interest,
169, 170 ; appraiser of houses to
be taken down, 182; alderman,
250
Schebolet, freeholder, 282
Bogart, Abraham, freeholder, 283
Benja., freeholder, 282
Cornelius, freeholder, 283
Isaac, freeholder, 282
Jacob, freeholder, 283; signs a-
gainst Leisler, 135
John, sells mill stones, 292
Peter, freeholder, 283
Boils, Joseph, soldier, 222
Bolting privileges promised, 141
Bompoenik, fort at, 115
Bond to Robt. Livingston, for money
advanced, 127, 129
Bookstore, early, 285
Booth, Mrs. Philo, died, 334
Borsboom, Pieter Jacobse, 45
Bos, Isaac, soldier, 222
Bosboom, Tryntie, 212
Hendrick, freeholder, 282
Bosloopers prohibited, 23
Boss, Pieter, constable, 103, 123
Boston called upon for aid, 181 ; called
. upon for 100 men, 120; declines
aid in French war, 121 ; houses,
1785, 295; population. 296; Leis-
ler's letter to, 202, 203
Bowen, S. T., 325
Bowne, Andrew, loan to city, 95
Annals, ii.
32
374
Index.
Boyd, Charles, takes medal, 323
James P., 327
John, soldier, 221
P. P., 351
Robert, 325
Boyen, William, 108, 109
Boyle, Daniel, 333, 344
Bradford, Rev. Mr., 306; school trus-
tee, 305, 306
Bradstreet, Gen., purchaser of Cosby's
manor, 334
Bradt, Andries, 212 ; freeholder, 282
Anthony, 119; assessor, 258; signs
against Leisler, 135 ; freeholder,
Barent, 259 ; does not subscribe to
the war fund, 119; freeholder,
283
Barent Albertse, his house to be
demolished, 182, 183
Bernardus, freeholder, 282
Citte, 212
Daniel, 214 ; fined, 244 ; illicit trad-
er, 243 ; sells rum to Indians on
Sunday, 252, 253; fined therefor,
254 ; died, 329
Dirck, 212
Dirk Albertse, 212; sent to Sara-
toga, 128 ; recalled from Sarato-
ga, 159; guide and interpreter,
210 ; signs against Leisler, 135 ;
volunteers to aid Indians in
building, 113 ; scout at Saratoga,
123 ; to be consulted about ren-
dezvous, 215.
Egbert, freeholder, 282. See Bradt
Johannes, illicit trader, 243, 244 ;
plaintiff, 240; constable, 258
Johannes Barentse, fine remitted,
244
Samuel, 212
Brand, Andrew, giant, died, 347
Brandy not to be sold to Indians, 46
Brant haeken (fire hooks), 268
hout (fire wood), 268
. leere (fire ladders), 268
Bread, increase of price, 240; one
penny a loaf, 97 ; price, 1785, 296 ;
weight of prescribed, 245
Bredenbent, Wm., 270
Breeches patterns, 285
Bremer, Frederika, arrived, 346
Bridges, repair of, 263, 265
Bries, Anthony, 256, 257
Hendrick, 119; constable, 245;
firemaster, 97; freeholder, 283;
juror, 243
Briggs, Hannah, died, 348
Brignam, Andrew, 347
Brinsmade. J. B., 331
Brodgat, Thomas, soldier, 222
Bronck, Leonard, assemblyman, 293
Pieter, 280
Jan, judgment against, 241
Bronson, Greene C., 327, 283
Oliver, takes medal, 323
Brooke, Chida, his bill, 258
Brooks, Jonathan, freeholder, 282
Broun, Abraim, soldier, 222
Brown, Joseph B., takes medal, 320
Brouwer, Peter, soldier, 223
Bruyn, Monsieur Jan Hendricksen, 139,
211, 214, 215, 216, 217, 219, 234,
239
Buckbee, James A., 344
Buffalo steam boat, 334
Building active, 1850, 335
Bulgin, Arthur, died, 349
Bull, Capt. Jonathan, 114, 157, 184, 192,
196, 205; expense of quartering,
262; his proposal to garrison
neighboring places, 157, 158; dis-
allows Leisler's pretensions, 171 ;
motion to retain, 205 ; request that
he be not withdrawn, 193 ; returns
home, 220 ; declines to send scouts,
177: soldier returned, 233 ; arrives
with New England troops, 155 ; to
aid in French war, 121, 122
Bullions, Henry L., takes medal, 323
John C., takes medal, 323
Rev. Peter, 351
Bumpus, Capt. Morris, 351
Burger, Gerret, soldier, 222
excise, 241
pacht, 98
Burgers to be defended, 134
Burgess, Mr., 288
Burgesses corps excursion, 344 ; to be
convened in defence of their liber-
ty, 131.
Burglar hanged, 301
Bunal ground desecrated, 88
Burials, few in 1785, 292
Burk, George W., died, 345
Burnaby mentions wampum, 6
Burritt, Elihu, address by, 333
Bush, linen distributed in, 212
Bush, Walter R., 325. 341
Buss loopers (bush rangers) or scouts,
253
Butler, Richard, 289
Butter, receipts of, 349
Buttermilk falls sold, 103
Buys, Jan, 212
Byrnes, John, 344
Byvanck, Jan, 211
Cab driver drowned, 338
Cable, John, soldier, 222
Joseph, soldier, 222
Cadarachqui, 186; abandoned by
French, 160, 161, 162; expedition
at, 235
Cahohatatea, the Hudson river, 314,
317, 318
Cajadorus, 161
Index.
375
Caldwell, William, mathematical me-
dal, 320
Caledonian Fusileers, 340
Cam, Robert, soldier, 222
Cambridge vote, 1789, 300
Cameron, Robert, 351
Camioll, James, soldier, 222
Campbell, Archibald, merchant, 287 ;
removed, 325
Daniel, 338
G., 351
John N.. farewell discourse, 333,
a34
James, town-major, 237
Mrs. John C., died, 341
Canada, 233 ; equipment against, 213;
expedition against, 231 ; expedi-
tion under Capt. John Schuyler,
234; Indians invade, 38; Indians
pursued, 178; reluctance to spare
forces from Albany, 179 ; invasion
from suspected, 1689, 107, 108;
news from, 128; proposal to in-
vade, 197 ; to be attacked by sea,
194,195
Canadian invasion threatened, 110
Canaghsionie, 235
Canal boat, large freight, 338
Canals closed, 1849, 324 ; opened, 1850,
337; receipts, 1850. 349, 351
Canastigeone, proposal to garrison,
157, 158
Canneogahakalononitade, or Mohawk
river, 318 .
Cannon, patroon's, 11
Canoe, delegates to be 'forwarded to
New York by, 216
Canoes, bark, 210
Cansalis, Manuel, soldier, 116
Cantuquo, sachem, 44
Capron, John, died, 341
Captain, pay of, 142
Captives, 290, 291 ; redemption of, 238
Care, John, soldier, 222
Carey, John, merchant, 289
Carlan, Manas, freeholder, 282
Caristasie, Indian messenger, 162, 164,
165
Carmen licensed, 91
Carnes, William, 256
Carpenter, Ephraim, soldier, 222
Carr, William A., 344
Carristasio, warrior, 235
Carson, Sarah Matilda, died, 336
Carstensen, Teunis, 212
Warner, signs against Leisler, 135
Carter, John, 256; city porter, 87;
takes oath, 124 ; witness, 238
Carter, Mrs. Samuel, died. 353
William F., 351
Cartwright's tavern, 285
Casane, Jacobus Mons., soldier, 223
Casperse (Hallenbeck), Jan, 260
Casseltowne, George, soldier, 223
Castle Island, 316
Catskill, its location, purchased, 19;
Indians invited to settle at, 184;
price paid, 20 ; right contested, 21,
24; ptockadoes apportioned to,
249 ; to furnish firewood and can-
dles to the block house, 250 ; pro-
portion of tax, 260; to furnish fire-
wood, 260; vote, 1789, 300
Cattle brought by rail road, 340 ; fair,
1784,290
Census. 1785, 296; 8th -ward, 344
Chalender, Jan, soldier, 222
Chalk, a mulatto, 54
Chamberlain, first, 65 ; report, 1850, 355
Chambers, Ivie, merchant, 293
Major, orders vote of Ulster county
on sending troops to Albany, 123
Thomas, soldier, 22, 221, 270
Chambly, sand bank, of, 235
Champlain, William, drowned, 341
Chandlery established, 299
Chapman, Wm. H., died, 324
Charbonnon, Anthony, died, 340
Charleston, houses, 1785, 295 ; popula-
tion, 296
Charter centennial anniversary, 295;
expense of obtaining, 87; first
printed, 57 ; granted, 56 ; reception
of, 82, 83 ; loan to pay expenses of,
95 ; pronounced null, 137
Chatfield, A. F., 340
Cheapside street, 285
Chimneys, fine for foul, 98 ; inspected,
87
China, voyage to, 295 ; return, 297
Christman, a clerk, 30
Christoffelse, David, Leisler's justice
at Schenectady, 171
Church, becomes a depot of arms, 107;
cannon placed on, 278; erected
in 1643, 38 ; pasture, 58, 59, 96
First Presbyterian, 294
Churches, 1764, 48
Churchill, candidate for command of
fort, 130
William, 139
City bounds, movement to change,
328 ; prescribed, 62
expenses, 1686, 86
Hall, its site, 268; dock, 288; pri-
son, 292; site of, 286
oflBcers prescribed by charter, 63
records partly found, 215
treasurer, 103
Claese, Johannes, illicit trader, 244
Wm. [Groesbeeck ?] 92; council-
man, 93 ; assessor, 240
Claesen, Cornells. 212
Claessen, Ryck, son little Isaac re-
turned from captivity, 233
Clapp, Mr. Ruel, died, 329
Clark, Isabella, died, 350
John, died, 344
John, soldier, 221
John, wins prize, 352
376
Index.
Claverack conveyed, 47; purchased,
19; stockadoes portioned to, 249;
to supply firewood, 260
Claxton & Babcock, printers, 298
Clerk, David. 139
Clinton county taken off, 298
George, elected governor, 300 ; his
message, 301 ; at treaty, 288
Cloathes not to be rinsed at the public
wells, 88
Cloet, Bate, suit of, 243
John, prisoner in Canada, 243
Clothing not to be exported, 185, 199
Clowes, Timothy, school trustee, 305
Clnett, Elizabeth, died, 348
Cobbes, Ludovicus, court messenger,
Coburn, Kobt., 325
Coeymans, Peter, freeholder, 283
Samuel, freeholder, 283
coal, sought for, 325
Cohoes, 311 ; limit of colonie, 25 ; rail
road extension, 332
Cok, John, killed, 256
Colburn, Edward B., died, 343
Cold, 1789, 300, 303, 329, 331 ; in Sep-
tember, 1850, 347
Cole, John O., 353
Collins, Edward, freeholder, 282
Colonie, limits undetermined, 36 ; de-
prived of revenue, 37 ; minister of
church, 33
Columbia county set off, 295; steam
boat, 325; sold, 327
Colve, Jacobus, soldier, 222
Colvin, A. J., elected dist. attorney, 350
Commercial Bank dividend, 327 ; build-
ing, 286
Commissaries write to Leisler, 215
Commission of Gerrit Swart, of Rens-
selaerswick, 273-277
Common council, how constituted, 65
Commonalty refractory, 199
Cone, Solomon, 326
Congregational church bell, 336
Conkling, Aurelian, takes medal, 320
Connetticut furnishes 80 men to aid
Albany, 125, 126; sends aid in
French war, 121 ; sends 80 men to
aid Albany, 142, 205 ; called upon
for troops, 120 ; soldiers furnished
by, 231 ; thanks voted to, for aid,
123, 313; troops withdrawn, 220;
pay of soldiers, 159
Connestigioene, to be garrisoned, 229
Constables to keep the pound, 91
Constitution, ratification celebrated,
299
Constitutional dissensions, 298
Convention on the state of the pro-
vince, 1664, 270, 271; to resist
Leisler, and all comers, 107; re-
solve to hold the city against Leis-
ler, 131 ; lives of members endan-
Convention, continued
gered, 145; of military and civil
officers, 195 ; superseded by Leis-
ler, 200
Conveyances, fees for acknowledg-
ment of, 98
Coome, Philiph, soldier, 221
Coopele, Loowies, 212
Cooper. Christian, death sentence, 293
John Tayler, 328, 337
Obadiah, freeholder, 282
Petrus, death sentence, 293
Richard, died, 349
Coopers Town, -famine at, 301
Coopesen, Lauries, 212
Corlaer, Ambrosio, place of drowning,
235
Arent, freeholder, 283
Bennony, assistant alderman, 257
Corn high in 1789, 301 ; statistics, 1850,
353, 354 ; viewer, his fees and how
paid, 99
Cornelissen, Akes, 212, 217, 218, 219
Arnout, interpreter, 108, 165, 234 ;
sent to Indian council, 166. See
Viele
Dicke Jan, 103
Greetje, 216, 217
Jacquse, 45 ; his letter, 162
Jan, soldier, 222'
Lysbet, 213
Marte, 45, 115
Teuuis, 45, 280
Cornes, William, soldier. 221
Corning, Erastus, 332, 337; president
iron meeting, 325 ; pres. savings
bank, 339; service of plate voted
to, 352
corps target excursion, 352
Coroner, office created, 71
Corporation bond to Mrs. Schuyler, 159
Corten, Myndert, 139
Cortlandt, Mr., 56
Coll., 248
Cortleyou, Jaques, surveyor, 45
Cosby, William, governor, 277
Costigan, John, 344
Couch, Samuel, soldier, 222
Councilmen, 84, 93, 94, 103, 105
Counterfeiter arrested, 292; hanged,
295
County, convened on the state of the
country, 132; called- upon for
men, 118
court, 79
tax levied, 247, 248
Court house, first in Albany, 42
of common pleas, 69, 79
Courtney, Samuel G., takes medal, 323
Cows milked in the streets, 49
Coxsackie, proportion of tax, 260 ; to
furnish firewood, 260; to furnish
firewood and candles to the block-
house, 250; stockadoes appor-
tioned to, 249 ; vote, 1789, 300
Index.
377
Coyle, Hugh, 333
Coyler [Cuyler] , Abraham, ensign, 237
Henry, 202
Cozens, Richard, soldier, 222
Crafft, Robert, soldier, 223
Cralo estate, 47
Crane, Elisha, cider merchant, 294
Crapo, Mrs. Chauncey V., died, 350
Cregier, Captain Martin, 256, 257, 260,
278 ; petition to extend his house,
263 ; permitted to build, 266, 267
Cridel, Lodewick, freeholder, 283
Crime, punishment for, 301
Cristofelseu, David, 212
Croesveld, Bay., 242
Cromwell, Thomas, soldier, 221
Croon, Dirck Jansen, 281
Jannetie, widow of Papendoro, 94
Cross, Hans, cartman, 113, 246; signs
against Leisler, 135
Croswell, John R. , takes medal, 320, 323
Crown Point, rendezvous at, 215, 235
Cuadaroghque, 161
Cullen, Patrick, 333
Cummings, John, 328
Jane Frances, died, 328
Cumpston, Edward, merchant, 288;
Curran, Mary, died, 341
Cushing, Eliza, died, 348
Cushman, Paul, 344
R. S., 344
Cutler, C. L., custodian of town clock,
328
John N., 331, 342; died, 326
Cuyler, Abraham, 119, 254; assistant
alderman, 245, 251, 290; free-
holder, 282 ; signs against Leis-
ler, 135
Cornelius, freeholder, 282
Elizabeth, married, 277
Gansevoort & Co., 291
George, 329
Hend , 86, 92, 95; alderman, 93;
writes to Schenectady in Mil-
borne 1 s interest, 140, 141 ; widow
of, 231
Henry, 139
Jacob, federal elector, 298 ; super-
visor, 293
Jacob C., 328, 349
Jacob I., daughter died, 336
Joh., 90, 119, 125, 128, 129, 136, 143,
145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 157,
158, 167, 182, 184, 185, 186, 208,
213, 216, 219, 233, 242, 252, 267;
agent to New YOrk, 192 ; attor-
ney, 238; assistant alderman,
240, 258; clerk, 208, 237; council-
man, 93, 103, 105; declines
agency, 193 ; surety for city, 95 ;
suspends his vote, 136
John, 266; deacon, 261
Mrs. Anna, 231 ; plaintiff, 238
Cuyper, Jan Andrese, 86
Daly, John, 333
Danford, William, soldier, 222
Danielse, John, soldier, 222
Davenport, Mr., 181
Rev. Mr., 346
Davidtse, Pr. (Schuyler), 119; assist-
ant alderman, 200
Davis, Joseph, 339
Nathaniel, 328
William, 349
Deacons, goods delivered to, 211
Dean, Capt. Stewart, house of, 292:
sailed to China, 295; returned
from China, 297
Death record, 340
De Bruyn, Johannes, his commission
from Leisler, 201
Debt, confinement for, 302; of city,
1850,359
De Chene, 109 .
De Decker, Johannes, vice director,
37, 38; arrests tapsters, 39; com-
missaris resigned, 42; councillor,
278
Deer abundant, 1641, 281
De Foreest, Jesse, freeholder, 283
Degannesore, 166
Deganochkeeri, proposal by, 177
De Hart, Matthys, soldier, 222
& Kinney, mail carriers, 302
Dehashedis, 162
De Hooges, Anthony, 280; secretary
' of colony, 28, 272
De Laet, Johan, 277
on fishes, 319
Delafortune removed on suspicion,
107, 108, 111
De Lanoy, P., 139, 202
Delavan stores begun, 349
Delaware Indians, murder by, 290
Delehanty, Michael, 344
Dellius, Godfredius, 261 ; delivers In-
dian threats to Milborne, 154
De Marest, David, 270
De Mayer, William, 184
De Metselaer, Teunise, 119
Demilt, Pieter, 139
Dempsey, Lawrence, died, 340
Margaret E. dird, 344
De Neufville, Leonard, glass factory,
297
Denney, John, takes oath, 124
Denniston'Hugh, tavern of, 287, 292
Denoan, Denys A., soldier, 222
De Peyster, John, 139 ; freeholder, 282
De Razier, Isaac, introduced wam-
pum, 2
De Ridder, Leift. Evert, 118, 119, 120,
180, 209; commands volunteers,
178
Desagochquaetha, 162
Desmareest, Jean, 139
De Teurcx, Isack, 212
Detroit, trading voyage to, 290
De Vos, Andries, 15
378
Index.
De Wandelaer, Johannes, 90, 183, 211,
354 ; assessor, 240, 250, 257 ; as-
sistant alderman, 200; consta-
ble, 94 : councilman, 105 : deacon,
213
Doude Johannes, assessor, 245
DeWarm, Capt. Jacobus, 211, 215;
soldier, 222
De Winter, Bastiaen, 45
De Witt, Rev. Mr., 306
Richard V., 325
Simeon, school trustee, 304, 305,
307
William H., staves loaded for
Maine, 352
Dexter, James, 338, 353
Deyermand, Wm., oil factory, 335
Wm. G,, 328
Dibble, Joseph, died, 340
Dickson, James, 351
Dircksen, Theunis, soldier, 223
Dirkse, Takel, defendant, 256
Ditches, regulations of, 264
Dochstetter, Jacob, Oneida interpre-
ter, 317
Documentary History contain council
minutes, 106
Dodge, Mrs. Amos, died, 336
Capt., 327
Dogs to be killed, 294
Doig, James, teacher, 291
Domis, Toussain, 242
Donahoe, Edward, 333
Dongan, Col. Thomas, demands In-
dian prisoners, 188 ; his authority
vindicated, 200 ; executes the city
charter, 56; signs the same, 81;
his administration, 308
Dougherty, Mrs. Francis, died,*351
Douglas, John, takes oath, 124
Wheeler, 287
Doulier, Jean, soldier, 221
Douw, Abraham, merchant, 289 ; free-
holder, 283
Hendrick, freeholder, 283
Peter, freeholder, 283
Peter W., alderman, 290
Volkert A., road master, 293
Volkert, freeholder, 282
Volkert, Jun., freeholder, 282
Volkert P., senator, 293
Douwsborough glass factory, 297
Dowd, Lawrence, 333
Dragoons, Dirk, 99
Drew, Daniel, 327
Drowning, case of, 333
Duanesburgh, vote, 1789, 300
Dubison suepectrd of being a spy, 101
Dubois, Elizabeth, died, 345
Dudley, J. E., drowned, 325
Duffels, price of, 230
Duinandougha, 161
Dulonpres, Mons., dancing school, 288
Duncan, James, 351
John, assemblyman, 298
Dunlop, Robert, 325
Durant, Clark, 327
& Lathrop, grain store fell, 335
Dutch church, site of, 286
language, 308-310; transition of,
267
names for Albany and vicinity, 311
names for the fish in our rivers, 312
Duyking, Gerrit, 139
Dwyer, William, wins prize, 352
Dyckman, Johannes, 34, 212, 213 ; ac-
count of, 26 ; defines his authority,
28 ; of unsound mind, 37
Eagle guards, 353
tavern, lot built upon, 349
Eastown, vote, 1789, 300
Edgar, Dr. Alexander, died, 291
Edsall, Samuel, 139, 202, 220, 233 ; en-
sign, 278
Edwards, Isaac, 342
James, 325, 332, 337
Egbertse, Benja., freeholder, 282
Egbert, freeholder, 282
Eights, Abraham, merchant, 292
Elbertsen, Elbert, 270
Elderkin, speaker, 327
Election, 1687, 93; 1691, 240; 1692, 245 ;
1694, 257, 258 ; 1784, 289 ; 1785, 293 ;
" 1789, 300 ; polls open, a week, 300 ;
1850, 336, 350; for delegates to
New York, 216 : of legislators, 292;
proposed by Milborne, 146 ; to be
held, 72. See aldermen
Elgin, Lord, 347
ElUs, Wm., takes oath, 124
Ely, John, teacher, 293
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, lecturer, 329
Emigrants' Friend Society, 353
Emmet Guards, 340 ; ball, 329
Empire steam boat sold, 327
Encluys, Hans, 11
English rebels, 271
Ensign, pay of, 142
Eps, Jan. 212
Esmay, Barent W., died, 338
Esopus destroyed, 278 ; Indians em-
ployed, 118, 120 ; sends aid to Al-
bany, 181, 185, 194 ; volunteers aid
in French war, 123
Evertse, Jacob, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Teunise, freeholder, 283
Excise, 258, 259; claimed by Stuy-
vesant, 23 ; of liquors, 98 ; 3 per
cent, 265, 266 ; unsettled, 39
Execution for burglary, 301
Experiment, sloop voyage to China,
297
Exports prohibited, 199
Faction of Milborne, 151
Faifre, Jean, soldier, 221
Index.
379
Fair for cattle, 1784, 290; State Agri-
cultural Society, 346
Fairs regulated, 73
Farle, Alexander, soldier, 223
Farling, D., 340
Farrall, Catharine, died, 331
Farrington, Robt., takes oath, 124
Fast ordered by Stuyvesant, 11
Fay, Dr., almshouse physician, 327
Federal Constitutional electors, 297;
Herald, 298
Feloo, Richard, soldier, 222
Feltman, John C., 344
John C., Jr., foreman, 328
Ferry horse boat sank, 350 ; to Green-
bush, 58, 59
Finagel, Jan, justice, 237
Finances, 1783, 90, 302, 303
Finch, Margaret, died, 345
Fine for foul chimneys, 98 ; for illicit
trade with Indians, 102, 244; for
neglecting to draw firewood, 91, 93;
for obstructing streets, 261 ; for
sabbath breaking, 254 ; for selling
liquors after tattoo, 93 ; for selling
liquors to Indians, 100, 227; for
using fire apparatus, 97; for re-
fusing to take office, 72
Finnagell, John, see Vinhagel
Finnegan, John, burglar, 345
Fire of 1793, 285
department, 1850, 358
Firehearths inspected, 87, 97
Firehooks inspected, 87
Fireladders, 97, 258
Firemasters, 258 ; 1693, 252 ; duties of,
87, 97 ; resisted, 90
Firewood brought in canoes, 247 ; for
Indian houses, 91 ; required for
watch house, 93; allowed to be
cut on the commons, 61
First Presbyterian Church edifice, 294 ;
farewell discourse, 333; new edi-
fice opened, 334 ; sold, 825
Fish abundant, 1641, 281 ; Dutch names
for, 319
Fish, N. A., 825
Fisher, John, 254, 256
John D., died, 346
Fisker, John, suit of, 252. See Visger
Fitzpatrick, Andrew, died, 325
Ann Eliza, died, 335
Five Nations, god of, 6 ; not to be dis-
couraged, 204 ; useful in war, 197
Flats, residence of the Schuylers, 55
Flensbtirgh, Johannes, freeholder, 282
Fletcher, Ben}., 267
Floid, John, soldier, 221
Florida, commissions to sail to, 36
Flour high, 1789, 301 ; price of, 334 ;
price, 1785, 296; receipts of, 849,
351 ; statistics, 1850, 353, 354
Floyd, Thomas, freeholder, 283
Flynn, Patrick, 333
Fog extraordinary, 328
Folther, Robert, soldier, 221
Fonda, Abraham, freeholder, 283
David, assessor, 293; merchant,
292
Nicholas, freeholder, 282
Peter, freeholder, 283
Fonteyn, Charles, soldier, 222
Foot race, 335
Foot, Thomas, soldier, 223
Ford, Edward, sailor, 222
Jacob, 287 ; for assemblyman, 293
Foreest, David D., freeholder, 283
Johannes D., freeholder, 282
Phill, 254; constable, 94; high
constable, 103
Forgeson, John, soldier, 222
Form of oath to the Patroon, 280
Forsyth, William W., 337
Fort, Orange, 39, 206 ; aided by the
Colonie, 40 ; attempt to possess,
36; buildings erectdti at, 11;
building prohibited, 12 ; cannon
in, 278 ; Capt. Staats to quarter
in, 167 ; citizens build near, 19 ;
prior claim of company, 20;
claimed by Stuyvesant, 13 ; court
of justice in, 31 ; damaged by
freshets, 14 ; extent claimed 150
rods, 25 ; limits of, 27 ; frontier
town, 42; in 1784, 287; its
strength, 22 ; jurisdiction claim-
ed for 1,000 rods, 37; Leisler's
orders to occupy, 201 ; repre-
sented in convention, 1664, 270 ;
retains fur monopoly, 43
alterations in, 114 ; candidates for
command of, 130; deficient of
. clothing, 911 ; held for William
and Mary, and against Leisler,
125; Leisler' s orders to .occupy,
901 ; officers of 1689, 209, 210 ;
regulations for securing against
Leisler, 135 ; to be held by the
mayor, etc., 145; to be repaired,
249
Schuyler, Indian treaty at, 289:
site of, 334
Stanwix, troops arrived from, 291
William, 203, Leisler's letter from,
202
Fortifications in country, 115; neg-
lected, 104; repaired, 1689, 113; to
be made, 185
Foster, Mrs. Susan, died, 341
Fourth July in iail, 302
Fowler, Samuel S., died, 339
Foxes creek, sturgeon in, 281, 314. See
Vossen kil
Fran, Isaak, soldier, 223
France, force sent against, 160
Franck, Isaac, soldier, 222
Frederickse, Carsten [Smith], died, 98
Myndert, 84, 85, 119 ; signs against
Leisler, 134
Willem, 280
380
Index.
Fredericktown, houses, 1785, 295
Freedoms to be granted, 73
Freeholders, election by, 216; in Al-
bany and Rensselaerswyck, 1742,
282
Freight business by Boston road, 349
French, expedition against, 227, 228 ;
invasion, effort to prepare for, 118 ;
prisoners removed from Saratoga,
107, 108, 110. Ill ; to be rooted out,
166: war subscription, failure of,
121
Freshet, 331, 335, 336, 337, 338, 343, 346,
350; in 1661, 43
Frieslanders required, 194
Frooman, Adam, 212. See Vrooman
Frost in August, 1850, 345
Frothingham, W. W., 328
Furman, Gabriel, 1
Fyn, Mr., 30
Fyne. Joflannes, soldier, 221
Fry, Daniel, died, 346
Fryer, Isaac, freeholder, 282, Mrs.
Isaac, died, 337
Captain John, died, 288
Fugitive slave meeting, 349
Funda, Jellis, soldier, 116
Funeral customs, 307
Furbush, Nathaniel, soldier, 222
Furs became scarce, 43 ; exports of, 42
Fusileers, 241 ; arrive, 1694, 254
Fuyck, early name of Albany, 279, 311
Gaine, Hugh, 284 ; prints city charter,
Galpin, Philip, soldier. 222
Gambia river, 316
Game abundant, 1641, 281
Gansevoort, Conradt, 329
Elizabeth, died, 329
Harme," 152, 153; appraiser of
houses to be taken down, 182 ;
justice, 237; sued, 256; fined,
257 ; treats with Milborne, 155
Leendert, freeholder, 283
Leonard, federalist, 298
Peter, Jr., assessor, 293; federal
elector, 298
Gardenier, Andries, freeholder, 283
Hendrick, 212
Gardens, 1764, 49
Gardner, Caleb, sentenced, 295
Garius, Jillis D., freeholder, 282
Johannis, freeholder, 282
Garrison, firewood for, 247 ; increased,
185; quartered, 1694, 254; to be
under the Convention, 145
Garritse, Adrian, see Papendorp
Garten, Captain, 181, 184, 198, 194;
volunteers to aid Albany, 123
Gas meeting, 324. 825
Gates, Joseph, freeholder, 282
Gates of city, keeper of, 252 ; repaired,
127, 183, 262
Gayner, Mrs. George C., died, 336
Genesee. famine in, 301
George, George, died, 347
Gerechtsrolle der Colonie, 23
Gerlet, Gillian, soldier, 222
German Catholic Church, corner stone
laid, 338
Gerrets, Gyspert, 212
Gerritse, Adrian, 84, 86, 92
Barent, suspected of a disturbance,
111
Capt. Marte, 106, 113, 114, 115, 122,
135, 143, 145, 147, 157, 158, 164,
167, 170, 182, 184, 186, 209, 247 ;
his company, 116, 119 ; his opin-
ion on Leisler's claim, 171;
justice, 129; his island, soldiers
quartered on, 151; on select
committee, 193
Elbert, constable, 251
Elbert, freeholder, 283
Gooseu (Van Schaick), 280
Hendrick, 113 ; recalled from Sara-
toga, 159
Jannetje, 119
Luykas, 86, 87, 92, 208, 242, 254,
256; assessor, 251; assistant
alderman, 200; councilman, 105
Marte, [Van Bergen,] 96, 119, 120,
121, 168, 190, 192, 205, 208 ; signs
protest, 176
Roeloff, 119
Ryer, freeholder, 282
Wynant, 107
Gibb, Capt., 351
Gibson, Hannah, died, 334
William, 325
William J., takes medal, 320
Gilbert, Edward, dinner to, 340
John, baker, 240; signs against
Leisler, 135 ; takes oath, 124
Gilder, value of, 268
Glass factory established, 297
Glen, Capt. Alexander, 209
Capt. Sander, 121, 122, 143, 145, 148,
150, 157, 170, 192, 208, 217, 247 ;
concurs in protest, 177 ; his age,
218; his deposition respecting
Livingston, 218, 220; his com-
pany, 234 ; to build fort, 230 ; in-
structed not to recognize Leis-
ler's orders, 172; took oath of
allegiance, 156
Cathmrina, 119
Ens. Johannes Sander, 122
Henry, assemblyman, 292
Jacob, Jun., freeholder, 282
Jacob, marries Elizabeth Cuyler,
277
Johannes, 209, 217
Sander, executor, 243
Sander Leendertsen, 28, 45, 280;
arrested, 29
Glossary of Dutch-English terms, 267
Goewyck, Johannes, freeholder, 283
Index..
381
Goewyck, Soloman, freeholder, 283
Gold. Major. 232
Gombell, Wm. F., died, 325
Goodrich, Elihu, teacher, 293
Goold, James, 327, 339
Gordon, James, assemblyman, 292;
federal elector, 298
Goslee, Mrs. Matthew, died, 337
Gott. William A., takes medal, 323
Gould, Anthony, 328
Gourlay, Mrs. James, died, 349
James & Co., 285
Government usurped by Leisler, 200
Governor, tax of a penny on the pound
for, 248, 249
Gow, Daniel, soldier, 222
Jan, 219, 244, 255
John, firemaster, 88, 97, 258
Grace church, corner stone laid, 343
Grady, Patrick. 333; died, 336
Graef, Claes, 213
Graham, James, 56
Grains, Robord, soldier, 222
Grant, Mrs., memoirs, 48
Ralph, takes oath, 124
Richard J.. 338
Graves, Mrs. Wm. M., died, 352
Gray, Alexander, 351
Margaret, died, 325
William, merchant, 291, 351
Great flat purchased, 43
pasture (same as church past.), 96
Green, John, soldier, 222
Greenbush, Cralo estate at, 47; ferry, 58
(net graen bosch), 311
Greene county, settlement impeded, 21
Greene, Henry P., takes medal, 323
Gregory, Lucia M., died, 351
Grenadiers, refusal to quarter, 261
Greveraet, Isaac, freeholder, 283
Griffin, Jacob, Jr., drowned, 343
John, died, 344
killed, 332
Groesbeeck, see William Claese
David, freeholder, 232
Stephanus, constable, 258; free-
holder, 282
William, 86
William Claese, 242 ; appraiser of
houses to be taken down, 182
Groot, Cornelia, 213
Geertruy, 212
Symen, 212 '
Groot Stuk, fort at, 115
Groote Vlacht (Great Flatt), 44
Grout. Patrick, killed, 332
Guard by soldiery not well kept, 104 ;
house, 1764, 48
Guilliams. Wm., 270
Gysbert, William, overseer of high-
ways, 252
Gysbertse, Gerrit, 115, 119, 212
William, 91, 255; signs against
Leisler, 134
Gyseling, Elias, 212
Haaton, Wm., takes oath, 124
Haegedoorn, Marius, 212
Hagan, Mrs. Charles O., died, 350
Hale, Major. 286
Half Moon (Waterford), 311 ; prepared
for invasion, 115 ; proposal to gar-
rison, 157, 158 ; to be garrisoned,
229 ; vote, 1789, 300
Hall, Francis B., takes medal, 320
Hallenbeck, Casper Jacobse, 58
Henderick, freeholder, 282
Jan Casperse, 260
Michael, tavern, 293
Halsted. Mrs. Prudence, died, 336
Hand, Mrs. Fanny, died, 344
Hangman performs a duty, 85
Hankisson, William, soldier, 221
Hansen, And., 119
Hendrick, 258, 264, 266, 267 ; asst.
alderman, 251, 258; constable,
240; freeholder, 282; juror, 243;
high constable, 245
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Richard, freeholder, 283
Hanz, Volckert, 22
Hap, J., 38
Haid, Moses Manase, soldier, 222
Harmense, Myndert, 92, 119, 224 ; his
pasture, 58; juror, 243; treats
with Milborne, 155; justice, 237;
testifies in Livingston's case, 218
Harmensen, Anne, 212
Harris, Hamilton, assemblyman, 350
Capt. James B., 352
John, 96; signs against Leisler,
John, died, 350
Stephen, 354
Harrison, Mr., priest, 239
Harsen, Bernardus, freeholder, 282
Hart, Henry, merchant, 288, 294
Hartford, communication with only
on horseback, 290; houses, 1785,
295 ; agents sent to, 194
Hartgers, Pieter, 280
Hartman, Johannes, soldier, 223
Harvey, Matthew, 139
Robert W., 328
Hastings, John, 349
Haswell, H. B., 353
Hater, Ens. John, 209
Hather, Wm., takes oath, 124
Hawley, D. E., died, 336
Hawthorn, John, drowned, 345
Hazen, Jacob T., editor, 332
Health, 1785, 292
Heaton, John, freeholder, 282
Heefke, Jan, glass factory, 297
Heffelingh, Dirck, 212
Heimslraet, Take!, signs against Leis-
ler, 135
Helling, William, freeholder, 282
Helme, Margaret M., died, 345
Helmer, Anthony, merchant, 292
Helms, Jan, 281
382
Index.
Henderson, Tobyas, 125
Mr., wins prize, 352
Hendricks, Barentie, wife of Dom.
Schaets, 96, 97
Hendrickse, Geurt, 119
Hans, 1&3 ; captain, 237 ; juror, 243
Hendrick, soldier, 221
Jan, 120
Philip, 45
Willem, 113; illicit trader, 243;
fined, 244; fine remitted, 244;
signs against Leisler, 135
Hendrik Hudson steam boat, 334
Henkesson, Peter, soldier, 222
Henry, Jacob, 324
John V., school trustee, 305
Major, 297
Herbertz, Andries, 280
Hercules, negro thief, 84, 85
Hermit, 1764, 50
Heron, Furman & Thornton, 332
Herperts, Andries, 38
Herrings in Hudson, 315
Hesselinger, Dirck, 212
Hewson, John D., 355
Mr., house of, 292
P., 351
Robert, died, 327
Hibernian Provident Society, 333
Higgins, John, 333
HighT
water, 331. See freshet
Hifi, Richard, soldier, 222
Hillegas issues currency, 287, 289
Hillhouse, Thomas, 340
Hills and creeks, 369-370
Hills, Mrs. Erastus, died, 349
Henry E., died, 347
Hillson, Mary Bruce, died, 341
Hilt, Jan., 213
Hilton, Hannah, died, 352
Jacobus, freeholder, 282
Phoebe, died, 324
Richard, freeholder, 282
William, freeholder, 282
William, Jun., freeholder, 282
Hinde, John, cloth merchant, 292
Hinkley, J. W., 344
Hodge, John, died, 346
Hodgkins, S. L., 344
Hoffmayer, Wm., 183, 289; deceased,
260 ; his house to be taken down,
182
Hogan, Johannes, freeholder, 282
William, freeholder, 282
William, Jun., freeholder, 282
Hogeboom, Lawrence, assemblyman,
292
Holland, Edward, freeholder, 282
Henry, freeholder, 283
Jacobus, freeholder, 283
Kitchen, freeholder, 283
Hollie, Hend. Janse, 128
Willem, 128, 219, 239; porter and
town crier, 252 ; takes oath, 128
Holman, John, takes oath, 124
Hoist, Lowrens, Jr., soldier, 223
Holste.n, L. D., 329, 339
Holy Innocents church opened, 330;
consecrated, 346
Hooghkerk, Mr. John, 291
Luykas, freeholder, 282
Hoogland, Jeronemus, federal elector,
298
Hoogteling, Coenraet, freeholder, 283
William, freeholder, 283
Hooks and ladders, 1688, 97
Hooper, Stephen takes oath, 124
Hoosic, ancient name of, 28 ; vote, 1789,
300
Home, Hanse, house of, 291
Horse boat sunk at ferry, 350
stealing, penal, 293
Horticultural exhibition, 341, 343
Horton, Sargant Jonathan, soldier, 222
Hospital, 1784, site of, 294
governors, 1849, 327
Hotaling, William, died, 345
Houle, Oliver, 344
Housatonia train quick trip, 328
House telegraph hue opened, 350
Houses enumerated, 1785, 295 : in 8th
ward, 345; removed, settlement
for, 259, 260 ; to be demolished,
13, 16, 18, 182; number of, 17
Howard, Ephraim, died, 329
Howe, Lord, 55
Howe, Silas B., 325
Hoyt, George B., takes medal, 320
Maria J., died, 340
Hubbard attributes the wars in New
England to the use of wampum, 3
Mrs.H. L., died, 335
Hudson, Heudrik, steam boat. 324,
325 ; sold, 327, 347 ; fare reduced,
335
river, claim of Van Twiller, 19;
names for, 317, 318
Hughes, Peter, drowned, 344
Humphrey, Mrs. Chauncey, died, 333
Friend, 327, 339; president tract
society, 325
John, died, 337
Ralph, 325
William, 339
Hun, Dirk, freeholder, 282
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Thomas, alderman, 290; for as-
semblyman, 293
Hunt, Josiah, soldier, 222
Thomas, soldier, 222 ; surgeon, 221
Hunting not permitted except to citi-
zens, 77
Hntton, Isaac, clergyman, 288
Huyck, Andries, freeholder, 283
Ice exported, 333 ; first crossed, 1849,
327 ; prevents crossing river, 253 ;
weak, 1850, 329 ; broken through,
033 ; moved out, 331
Index.
383
Importers from London.291
Imprisonment for debt* impolicy of,
298
Index, quick sloop voyage, 351
Indian aid called in, 118, 120 ; affairs,
meeting on, 164, 165; ornaments,
1 ; bond in war, 235 ; cloak, price
of, 231; depredations, 40; dis-
turbances, 1663, 278, 279; excur-
sion to Canada, 38 ; goods taxed 2
per cent, 266 ; graves, relics in, 2 ;
hostages, 290 ; nouses, to be sup-
plied, 246 ; money, 1 ; none but
wampum ever known, 5; names
of Albany and vicinity, 317, 318 ;
prisoners die in France, 160, 162 ;
demanded of French, 163 ; racers,
335; scouts employed in French
war, 120; trade secured to the
city, 74; its advantages, 75; pro-
hibited to all others, 76, 77 ; fine
for violating, 89, 244, 265 ; meeting
to regulate, 86 ; proclamation con-
cerning, 102 : trade at Schenectady
prohibited, 46 ; traders fined, 244 ;
treaty at Fort Schuyler, 289 ; war
threatened, 22 ; Toby, old soldier,
223
Indians captured, 112; condole with
citizens on the Schenectady mas-
sacre, 186; depend upon magis-
tracy, 140 ; drunk on Sunday, 253,
254; excited by Stuyvesant, 15,
16; invited to settle in the vicinity,
184, 190; liquors forbidden to, 99 ;
troublesome when drunk, 100;
liquors prohibited, 117, 223, 226,
244, 245 ; message from, 160 ; pay-
ing taxes, 296 ; prohibited coming
into the city, 102; supplies for,
194; threaten Milborne^s party,
153, 154; to be retained, 197;
volunteer as scouts, 177, 178
Ingells, William, soldier, 221
Ingmire, John, wins prize, 352
Ingoldesby, Col. Richard, 249, 261
Invasion by Leislerians expected, 131
Isaacs, Cleyn, his laud taken for fort,
230
Isaakse, Abram, signs against Leisler,
134
Isack, Klyn, returned from captivity,
233
Island inundated eighth time, 1850,
350 ; soldiers quartered at, 240
Jackmonssc, John, soldier, 223
Jacobse, Jan, 224
Jacobsen, Ryer, Leisler's justice at
Schenectady, 171
Rutger, 38, 280 ; lays corner stone,
39
Jacobsz, Aert, 281
Jacobsz, Casper, 280 ; hie pasture, 58
Teunis, 280]
Jagger, Treadwell & Perry, 353
Jagogthare, Aridarenda, 186
Jail, 4th July celebrated at, 302; on
State and Eagle streets, 298
Jailer, his duties," 70
Jamaica, negroes sold to, 52
James, Augustus, 328
& Vail, merchants, 288
John B., 337
the Second grants charter, 57
Thomas V., 281 ; merchant, 288
Rev. Wm., pres. soc. relief of poor,
328
William, 327, 338
Jannetje the Indian, 234. See Law-
rence
Janse, Ensign Abraham, 155
Andries, first schoolmaster, 21
Cobus, 119
Dorite, 119
Douw Volcker, 281
Ens. Johannis, 209
Evert, [Abeel,] 99
Geertruy, 119
Hendrik, fine remitted, 244; illicit
trader, 243
Joseph, soldier, 116
Luykas, 120
Matthys, 120
Roelif, freeholder, 283
Stoftell, [Abeel,] 99
Jansen, Gerret, 212
Harmen, soldier, 222
Hendk., 214
Jacob, cut fir trees, 17
Rein., soldier, 223
Steven, 280
Van Saregtoge, 214
Volckert, 38
Jenkins, Elizabeth, died, 332
Elisha, school trustee, 305
Lemuel, 325, 328
Jocelyn, Christopher, killed, 331
Jochemsen, David, 270
H., 38
Jochimes, Lambt., soldier, 116
John Mason, steam boat sold, 327
Johnson, Agnes, died, 345
Hugh, burglar, 345
James I., 331
Thomas, soldier, 221
Johnston, Sarah, died, 352
Johnstone, R. F., 340
Jones, Frank, takes medal, 320
Josselyn John, 1
Judd, Charles Edward, died, 332
Judson, Ichabod L., 338
July 4th celebrated, 1784, 287.
Juriaense, Hans, 120
Jurian, Indian messenger, 162, 165;
the ferocious, warrior, 235
Justices court organized, 69
384
Index.
Kanondoro, 235
Kant, Francis, drowned, 348
Katskill, why acquired, 9. See Catskill
Kearney, J., 351
Keaty, Michael, killed, 337
Kelley, Henry, died, 350
Joseph, currier, 290
Kemble, Francis Ann, readings by, 329
Kennedy, Michael, drowned, 344
Rev. Dr., 326
Kent, James, school trustee, 305
Kentucky giant (Andrew Brand) died,
347
Keogh, Jane M., died, 337
Kerin, John, died, 350
Ketelheyn, David, illicit trader, 214,
243; sells rum to Indians on
Sunday, 252, 253 ; fined therefor,
254 ; fine remitted, 244
William, 119
Keteltas, Jan, soldier, 222
Kettles distrained for public use, 227
Keuningh, Thomas, 281
Kickham, Samuel, soldier, 223
Kidd, James, 325, 332, 337, 339 ; post-
master, 348; pres. plank road,
338
Capt. Win., his company, 266
Kidney, Jacobus, freeholder, 282
Johannes, freeholder, 282
Roelif, freeholder, 282
Kieft, director, 28 ; regulates wam-
pum, 4
Kilbourn, Harvey, died, 353
Kinderhook excited byMilborne's let-
ter, 142 ; proportion of tax, 260 ;
to furnish firewood 260 ; rum sold
to Indians on Sunday, 252, 254;
stockadoes apportioned to. 249;
to furnish firewood and candles to
the blockhouse, 250
King, Charles, lecture by, 352
Kufus H., 328, 333, 339
William, 104, 128
King's Arms tavern, 285 ; sign burnt,
285
highway, 96
Kingsley, Hale, 349
Kip, Abraham, 224
Isaak, 242 ; freeholder, 282
Rev. Dr., lays corner stone, 343
Volkquijn, 242
Kleermaker, Evert Jansen, 281
Klinkenbergh, captive at, 239
Klock, Leiut. Marte, 209
Klomp, Jacob Simons, 281
Knap, John, soldier, 222
Knickerbacker, John, 340; federalist,
298
Knight, Thomas, soldier, 221
Knower, Cornelia, died, 349
John, 339
Knowles, Horace, died, 325
Knox, John, 256
Koeherder, Laurens, 224
Koeymans, Sarent Pietersen, justice,
237
Kok, J., signs against Leisler, 135
Koonz, Jacob C., takes medal, 320
Kosciusko, steam boat, 340
Koster, Anthony, freeholder, 282
Krygier, see Cregier
Kryg's jack (war flag) sent up by Leis-
ler, 142
Labadie, Jan, French commissaris, 22
to repair fort, 18
Ladders of city inspected, 87
Laerse, Caste Junior, soldier, 223
Lafayette, Marquis, attends treaty at
Fort Schuyler, 289, 290
Lafleur, alias Rene Poupar, 89, 90, 109 ;
removed on suspicion, 107, 108,
110, 111
La Grange, Angelica, died, 331
Isaac, freeholder, 283
Jacobus, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Omy, plaintiff, 257
Lamberville, Pere, 162; letter from,
161
La Montagne, Johannes, 44; vice di-
rector, 42
Lamps, expenditures for, 356
Lancaster, Joseph, founder of schools,
304 ; visits Albany, 306 .
Lancasterian school founded, 304, 305 ;
finances, 305; building opened,
305 ; cost of, 306
Lane, Capt., 291
Laney, Lucien B., 330
Mary Ann, died, 330
Langestraet, Johannes, soldier, 221
Lansing, Abraham A., assessor, 293;
freeholder, 282
Aeltje, married, 10
A. A., 331
Charles B., 340
Cornelia S., died, 331
E. J., 349
Evert, freeholder, 283
Gerrit, 241, 242; freeholder, 282,
283 ; and brothers do not sub-
scribe to war fund, 119
Gerrit Y., 328. 339
Hendrick, 256; freeholder, 283
Isaac, freeholder, 282
Jacob, freeholder, 283
Jacob G., for assemblyman, 293
Jacob, Jun., freeholder, 283
Jan, 90, 91, 113, 119, 120, 246, 255 ;
alderman, 94, 106, 111, 240, 245,
250, 258; Johannes, freeholder,
282
Johannes Gerr'se, freeholder, 282
Johannes, Jun., freeholder, S82
John, 247, 263, 266 ; assistant alder-
man, 65, 84; captain, 237; alder-
man, 258
Index.
385
Lansing, John, assemblyman, 298, 348,
John, Jun., 304; anti-federal elec-
tor, 298; assemblyman, 292;
school trustee, 305
Robert, freeholder, 282
Sanders, road master, 293; died,
348
Lansingburgh, first stage from, 302
Laprairie, to be attacked, 235
Larmond, James, 125
Lathrop, Dyer, 327
Laurens, Cornells, 224
Jan, 224
Laverty, Alexander, tailor, 294
Law School, 305
Lawlor, Martin, died, 351
Lawrence, Thaddeus, debtor, 299
alias Jannetje, the Indian, 160;
234 ; march of, 213 ; pursues the
French, 179, 180, 185
Lawyer, John, drowned, 338
John L., drowned, 340
Lay, Sarah, died, 348
Lead, price of, 230; seized for cus-
toms, 246
Learned, Edward, 340
Win. L., poem by, 352
Lee, Arthur, 289
Charles, 55
George C., 331, 339
Mother Ann, died, 288
Stephen, 181
Legislative journals, 1789, 300
Legislature, 1789, meet in Albany, 301
Leightou, David A., died, 324
Leijsler'e time, 268
Leisler, Jacob, 139, 169, 170, 202, 216,
230, 232; authority of protested
against at Schenectady, 172 : called
upon to assist against the French,
114; magistrates write to. 215;
express returned from, 117; his
authority required to be exhibited
168, 109, 170, 171; his commis-
sioned officers, 237; his letter to
the people, 138; letter from, 167;
protest against his sending up
armed men, 125, 128, 129, 172;
sends commissions to Scheuec-
tady, 171 ; usurper resisted in
Albany, 106; usurper, 105, 200;
gives Jochirn Staats command of
the fort, 130
Le Moyiie, Father, 37
Leonard, Solomon S., died, 331
Lespinard, Antho., 90, 94, 255; corn
viewer, 99; firemaster, 97; re-
moved on suspicion r 108, 110, 111 ;
rent of his house to officers, 248
Lewis's tavern, 288, 294; negro sold
at, 289
Lewys, Barent, 241 ; Leisler's officer,
sued for planks, 238
Licenses, order to collect, 247; to be
given by mayor, 70
Annals, ii. 33
Liekeris, Johannes, soldier, 222
Lieutenant, pay of, 142
Lievens, Annetje, 119
Lieverse, Harme, 119 ; house fortified,
115
Lighting city with spirit gas, 346
Liquor sales restricted, 88
Liquors, excise of, 98; forbidden to
be sold to Indians, 99, 117, 244;
not be drunk after tattoo, 93 ; regu-
lations concerning, 228; selling
without license, penalty of, 244,
245
Litchoe, sergeant, 31
Livingston, John, assemblyman, 292
Philip, freeholder, 282
Robert, 87, 93, 108, 112, 115, 124,
166, 178, 179, 191, 192, 215, 249,
250, 253 ; a fugitive, 106 ; a rebel,
203; pursued, 204; is sheltered
by Connecticut authorities, 204 ;
absconds with public records,
224 ; agent to New England, 198 ;
awarded papers of \an llpen-
dam, 94; borrows money foe
city, 95; certifies proceedings-
against Leisler, 177 ; clerk, 259 ;.
goes to England, 259; clerk of
common council, 69; deposi-
tions against, 216, 217, 218, 219 ;.
first clerk, 65, 84 ; his property
attached, 225 ; his records partly
surrendered, 215 ; depositions,
against, 216; indemnified, 129;,
instructions to as agent, 195;,
large subscription to war fund,.
119; letter to Indian council,.
164 ; married, 272 ; loans money
to aid the war, 127, 129 ; order to
apprehend, 200 ; order to deliver
city books, 208; plaintiff, 241,.
256 ; proposal to send him to New
England for aid, 193; receives
city charter, 56 ; salary fixed, 86 ;.
takes oath of allegiance, 122;.
tax levied to pay, 240, 247; to-
fine illicit traders, 243
Walter, 287
Locker, William, soldier, 221
Lockermans, Jacob, 90, 113, 211 ; signs,
against Leisler, 135
P., 119
Lockwood, B., wins prize, 350
Loltus, Mathys, soldier, 223.
London tailor, 1785, 294
Long Island, wampum made on, 6
Long reach Indians procured, 118, 120 1
Loosje, Cornelis, 222
Lottery, 1772, 285
Loucks, Christian, death sentence, 293
Loudons print journals, 300
Louis, Colonel, Indian warrior, 317
Lovett, John, eulogy by, 286
P. M., 328
Low, F. S., machine works, 326
386
Index.
Low. Henry, soldier, 222
Low s furnace, large cast, 350
Luitersekerk (Lutheran church), 268
Luke, Philip, freeholder, 288
Lush, Richard, assessor, 293; assist-
ant alderman, 290; for assembly-
man, 293
Luther, Elizabeth, died, 324
John, 324
Lutheran church, block house behind,
250; erected, 297; treasury stolen,
Luwis, Capt. Barnet, 209
Luycessen, Jan, 213
Luyerez, Jacob, 281
Luykasse, Qerrit, defames Job. Rose-
boom, 243; defendant, 257: re-
ceives commissions from Leis-
ler, 171 ; soldier, 116
Johannes, illicit trader, 244
Lydius street, opening of, 330
Lyon, Ebenezar, soldier, 221
Maase, Cornelius, freeholder, 283
John, freeholder, 283 ; see Meesen,
and Van Buren,
Machin, Captain, engineer, 285
Machinists, military company, 353
Macilby, Lieft. Robert, 255
McAllister, Capt., 333
Mrs. H. E., died, 337
McAlpine, William J., 337
McAnnespie, Mrs., Bridget, died, 331
McBride, John, 329
McCall, Dennis, 347
McCall, H. S., 342
McCall, Thomas J., died, 353
McCammon, Cyrus S., died, 339
McCardel, John T 345
McClallen, Henry r fc Henry, merchants,
Robert, alderman, 290 ; for assem-
blyman, 292 ; supervisor, 293
McClintock, John, school of, 287
McClosky, Bishop, lays corner stone,
338
McDonald, John, ordained, 294 ; stated
clerk, 303
i^arah, died, 339
McElroy, Andrew, takes medal, 320
Thomas, 328
Wm., 324, 325, 328
McGowan, William S., 341
McHarg, Charles K., takes medal, 323
William, 339
McHench, Ann, died, 345
Mclntosh, Margaret, died, 341
Mclntyre, Archibald, 328; school trus-
tee, 305
McJimpsey, John, school trustee, 305
McKnight, John, 339
McLelland, Francis, drowned, 345
McMahon, M., 353
McManus, Catharine, wife of Owen,
died, 325
McMichael, J., 349
McMullen, Thos., 325
McMurdy, Mrs. Isaac, died, 336
McMurry, Thomas, his house, 300
McNaughton, Dr. James, prea. County
Medical Society, 351; pres. St.
Andrews Society, 351
Peter, 328, 351
Magdaniell, Daniell, soldier, 221
Magistrates endorsed by the county,
133; indemnify Robert Livingston,
1*9; take the city, 107
Magrigerie, Patrick, soldier, 221
Mahakaneghtuc, the Hudson river,
314, 317, 318
Mahecander chiefs, 19
Maher, James, 339, 353
Mahiccans, name for Hudson river, 317
318
Maijs (Indian corn). 268
Mail, 1785, 295; 1790, 303; carriers,
1790,302
Maine, brigs arrive from, 352
Maize for Indians, 194
Manhattan steam boat fare reduced,
335
Mannin, John, soldier, 221
Many, Wm. V., 337
Maquase persuaded to settle at Schen-
ectady, 184 ; follow the marauders
to Canada, 185, 190; river (Mo-
hawk), 87, 268; castie, 113
Marcelise, Gysbt., 256; constable, 240
March, Alden, 325
Marchael, William, died, 332
Marespink savages,' 278
Murienissen, Dauit, 212
Market days, 78; house, 1764, 48; in
Broadway, 287 ; receipts from, 357 ;
state of. 334
Marlett, Jean, soldier, 221
Marriage license, a governor's, 277
Marselis, Garret, freeholder, 282
Johannes, freeholder, 282
John, road master, 293
Myndert, freeholder, 283
Marshal, salary of, 98
Marten, Richard, soldier, 221
Martense, Hendrick, soldier, 222
Paulus, 96, 260
Pr., constable, 252, 254
Martin Geritsen's island, 58
Henry H., 339
Peter J., died, 339
Martlett, William J., contractor, 347
Marvin, Lucia, died, 346
Maryland, soldiers furnished by, 231
Massachusetts, 142; furnishes sol-
diers, 231; troops, 313 n. ; wam-
pum in, 1, 4
Masshell, Charles, soldier, 222
Mathus, Thomas, soldier, 222
Index.
387
Mathys, 109 ; Captain, 181 ; volunteers
to aid Albany, 123
Matysse, Abram, soldier, 222
Manriss, Francis, soldier, 221
Mayell, Jefferson, 328
Mayor to be coroner, 71, 83 ; to grant
licenses, 70; to be clerk of the
market, 70
Meads, James, died, 342
Mead, Owen, drowned, 341
Thomas, 346
Mechanics and Farmers' Bank divi-
dend, 828
Mechanics' Benefit Society election,
344
School. 304
Medical College, 305
Meech, Ralph H., died, 326
Meeseii, Jacob, [Van Buren?] 87, 119?
to inspect stockadoes, 229; see
Megapel ensis, Rev. Mr., 19, 281
Mellon, Daniel, soldier, 222
Melyn, outlawed, 29
Merchandise not to be exported, 185
Merchants, stock multifarious, 291
Merrifield, Richard, died, 344
Messenger, Mrs. Jacob, died, 336
Meteorological record, 285
Metslaer, see De Metslaer, 119
Michelz, Jan, 280
Milborne, Jacob,;i36, 146, 148,205, 232;
answer to his proposals, 149 ; ar-
rives with soldiers, and harrangues
the people, 137 ; his letter to Sche-
nectady, 139 ; letter to Kinderhook,
142; attempts to take the fort, 153;
before the convention, 143 ; insti-
gates mutiny, 146 ; created major,
231 ; his commission from Leis-
ler, 201, ; expedition to Albany,
221; his soldiers marched into
town, 151; his soldiers provided
for, 149 ; demands the old arms in
the fort, 147; order to for stores,
211; protest against, 154; threat-
ened by Maquase, 154; leaves the
city, 155; proposes better security
for the fort, 130; sinister inten-
tions of, 151
Military officers, 1689, 209; stores to
be delivered, 208
Militia organization, 297
Mill, soldiers quartered at, 240
Miller, Andrew, soldier, 222
Mrs. Christian, died, 337
Dr., on rivers, 317
Ernest J., takes medal, 323
Isaac L. K., takes medal, 323
Maria B., died, 334
Morris S., 333
Wm, C.,-325, 32
Millington, John, Jr., died, 324
Mills's island dam, 302
Miln, John, freeholder, 283
Milton, John, freeholder, 283
Minderse, Marte, overseer poor, 293
Minerals, search for, 9
Mines of gold and silver reserved, 60
Mingael, Johannes, 111, 251, 257 ; coun-
cilman, 94
Pr., assessor, 258
Minister supported by patroon, 23
Minnesink, trade at, 257
Minquas at war with Senecas, 278
Mitchell, Ezekiel, murdered, 301
William, 345
Mitchill, Dr., 299, 314, 318; on fish,
315, 316
Mohawk country, 22; prisoners in
France, 160 ; plank road finished,
351 ; river, 317, 318
Mohawks meditate an attack, 22;
treaty with, 22, 23 ; pursue French
to Canada, 185. See also Maquase
Montagne, William, 44
Morris, Hendk., deputy secretary, 277
Martin, 44
Morris's notes, currency, 287, 289
Mott, Abigail, died, 346
Mountain crossed only on horseback,
290
Muff and Tippet maker, 291
Muir, James, Jr., died, 328
Wm. O., 349
Mulholland, John, 333
Muller, Jacob, freeholder, 283
Mulloch, Jane, died, 332
Munn, Mrs. Stephen B., died, 837
Murray, Lawrence, died, 329
Murtaugh, Michael, 333
Museum building, site of, 286
Mutiny instigated by Milborne, 146
Myndertse, Johannes, freeholder, 282
Nack, Jan, 128, 129, 143 ; constable, 94 ;
councilman, 103 ; gunstock maker,
a refractory councilman, 105 ; sus-
pends his vote, 136
Nafew, John S., 340
Nail factory, 296
Naill, John, justice, 237
Nails, prices of hand made, 296
Navigation improved, 1790, 302
Navy flogging denounced, 338
Near, H. P., 344
Nfiill, William, school trustee, 305
Negress arrested, 28
Negro of Mrs. Schuyler sold by auc-
tion, 289; whipt through the
streets at a cart tail, 85
Negroes, their privileges, 51
New England, agents sent to for assist-
ance, 192; Indian money in, 1, 4,
5 ; resorted to for troops, 118, 120 ;
soldiers, 231 ; succored from Eng-
land, 160; troops arrive, 155;
wampum first known in 1627, 2
New Haven, houses, 1785, 295
388
Index.
New Jersey, made wampum, 6
Newland, David, house of, 291
John, takes medal, 320
New Netherland, money in use in, 1
Newspaper, first in Albany, 284, 290
Newton, John M., 324
William, 339
New York, agents sent to for assist-
ance, 114, 192; assistance from
asked, 114 ; furnishes soldiers, 231 ;
Gazetteer or Northern Intelli-
gencer, 285; Indian graves in, 2;
invasion from expected, 132; not
to be suffered to turn the city
government upside down, 133
Nichols, suicide, 345 ,
Nicholson, Captain, 168
.Nicoll, Francis, federal elector, 298
Rensselaer, freeholder, 283
"Nisqueunia, Mother Lee buried at, 288
Nobell, William, soldier, 221
INoonan, James, died, 343
Thomas, 339
Normal School, 329
Normans kil, 318
North America steam boat sold, 327
Northern rail road contracted, 348;
election, 337 ; meeting, 332, 335
North gate, 291 ; 1784, 290
North river, names for, 317, 318
Northrop, R. H., 331
Norton, John, died, 347
John T., 339
,Notes from the newspapers, 284, 303
Oath administered to city porter, 87
of allegiance required, 25, 124;
taken, 103; 1789, 122: of first
mayor, 83 ; to be administered,
66 ; to the patroon, 280
O'Callaghan, Dr. E. B., 279, 280; finds
council minutes, 106
Officers prescribed by charter, 63
Ogdin, John, soldier, 222
Ogharonde, expedition at, 235
Ohnowalagantle, Schenectady, 318
Oil for lighting city abandoned, 346
Olcott, John J., takes medal, 320
Mrs. Thomas, died, 346
Thomas W., 332
Olivatt, Charles, soldier, 221
Olpherse, Sjort, 139
Omnibuses introduced, 338
Oneida interpreter, 317 ; savages atone
for dead, 235
<Oneyde, 162
(Onnondage council, 165; letter to
council at, 162; embassy, 112
Oonondages send for Mohawks, 160
Oothout, Aerje, freeholder, 283
Henry, antifedeiral elector, 298 ; for
senator, 293
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Jonas, freeholder, 283
Orange, Prince of, 216, 217
O'Reilly telegraph connected with
New York, 341 ; opened, 337
Orphan Asylum managers, 338
Orphans, excursion of, 344
Osborn, Eliza, died, 336
Capt. John, 352
Osterhout, David, wins prize, 353
Lucy Jane, died, 350
Otter skins exported, 42
Ottowawa, good* carried to, 238
Ouderkerck, Abraham, freeholder, 283
Cornelius, freeholder, 283
Jan, 119
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Johannes Janse, soldier, 116
Overslagh, derivation of name, 316
Owen, John, soldier, 222
Oyster shells, wampum made from, 2
Paanpaack, now Troy, 28
Pacht, see excise and tax
Pacy, Mrs. Edward, died, 345
Paddock, Margaret, died, 350
Paepsknee fortified, 115; garrisoned,
158
Paers, Jacob, soldier, 221
Paffane, furrier, 291
Paling, (Pawling ?) Capt,, 181, 184;
failed to respond to call for aid to
Albany, 123
Palmer, Judge, 56
Pangborne, Pieter, soldier, 223
Panhoosick, or Hoosick, 28
Panton, Richard, 139
Papendorp, Adriaen Gerritse, first al-
derman, 65, 83; his will, 94
Paper money, 287
Paponicnck, purchased, 19
Papaknee island dam, 302
Parker, James, 250; first marshal,
65, 84; his account settled, 259;
his salary as marshal, 98 ; tax
levied to pay, 247, 248
Parrell street (Pearl), 268
Parsons, Peter, soldier, 222
J. W., 344
8. H. H., 339
Passenger, Mrs. Andrew, died, 347
Pasture, claimed for the king, 226 ; lo-
cation of, 58, 59
Pate, Roburte, soldier, 223
Patkook, fortified, 115 ; to furnish
firewood and candles to the block-
house, 250
Patroon's creek purchased, 846; his
authority and immunities, 16;
his house attacked ; 25, releases
Albany, 27 ; flag pulled down, 31 ;
jealousy of, 10; mill fortified,
225 ; trading house, 18
Patton, Mrs. Ann, died, 336
Pauperism, 1850, 365, 36e
Pavonia, repurchased, 10
Index.
389
Payn's tavern, fired, 336
Peace convention, 333
Peaches, great arrival of, 346
Peag, wampum, 1, 4 ; see Wampum
Pearse, Jacob L., takes medal, 323
Peas, white, price of, 230
Peaee, ErastusH., 325
Peck, S. S. .338
Peebles, John, died, 326
Pelican, captured, 299
Pels, Evert, 281
Pemaquid, taken. 111
Pembroke, Mr., 202. 220, 232
Pepper. Calvin, died, 336
Pequot Indians pay tribute, 5
Percy, Mary, died, 352
Perry, EH, 325, 338; assemblyman,
350: mayor, 336
Mrs. Eli. died, 337
Personal estate valuation. 361
Petereburgh, houses, 1785, 295
Pewasck, squaw chief of Catskill,-
19
Phelps, Philip, 325, 326
Philip. Jr., takes medal, 320, 323
Philadelphia, houses, 1785, 295 : popu-
lation, 296
Philips, Loeling, soldier, 222
Phillips, Abraham, died, 346; John,
died, 330
Phipps, Captain Benj., 249
Piece of 8, 231 ; its value, 268
Pieterse, Barent, 256
Hille, the Indian interpreter's sis-
ter, 153
Volkie [Vroomanl 89: deceased,
256
Pieterson, Nathaniel, soldier, 221
Pike in Vossen kil, 281
Piscataway, Maryland, soldiers from
at Albany, 222
Pitcher, Joseph R., died, 347
Pitts town, vote, 1789, 300
Plain, lots on to be sold, 87; its loca-
tion, 268
Plank, Caspar, freeholder, 283
Plank road election. 338
Platt, Ananias, sta^e right, 302
Platto, Frederick, died, 345
Pleijn, see Plain
Plymouth, furnishes soldiers, 231
Pocket almanac published, 286
Poen, John, soldier, 221
Poinier, Daniel, died, 324
Police 1850, -357, 358
Poor expenses, 1850, 358; relief so-
ciety, 328
Poor, Thomas, soldier, 222
Pootman, Johannes, 212; Leisler' s
justice at Schenectady, 171
Popery, accusation of repelled, 123
Population, 1785, 296 ; 8th ward, 1850,
344
Porter, Nicholas, soldier, 223
Porters, public, 228, 252
Post Office, 1784, 286-; location of, 1784,
291
Potatoes, high in 1789, 301
Potter, Rev. Dr., consecrates church,
346 ; lays corner stone, 343
Pound ordered to be made. 91
Poupar. Rene, (alias Lafleur) 89 ; fined,
90
Pow, Jost, soldier, 222
Powder, not be wasted, 228
Powel, Wm , 125
Powers,William, for assemblyman, 293
Prairie, Coteau du, red pipe stone of, 2
Pratt, James A., died, 348
Ralph, 327
Prentice, Ezra P., 327
Presbytery of Albany, 302
Prescott, John, soldier, 222
Pretty, Richard, 90, 111, 148, 219, 226,
227, 249 ; first sheriff, 65, 84, 168,
192, 239 ; sheriff under Leisler, 237 ;
to guage liquors, 224
Price, John, for assemblyman, 293
Priest, Hannah C.. died, 330
Priest to be required to be sent to
Albany, 191
Printing office. (Barber's), 287
Printing office, first, 284
Prise, Philip, soldier, 222
Prisoners, hostages for, 290, 291; re-
turned from France, 159
Proclamation about the excise, 258;
on approach of the French, 109
Produce statistics, 1850, 353, 354
Proposals offered by Milborne, 146, 149
Protest, against Leisler, 172 ; how
published, 176 ; against Milborne,
154 ; sent to Leister. 125, 129
Provisions called for, 195 ; scarcity of,
1789, 301
Provoost, Johannes, 205, 211, 214, 215,
216, 217, 219, 234, 239, 201, 211 ;
his commission from Leisler,
201; secretary, 42
Johannes, Jr., soldier, 222
Pruyn, Casparus, assessor, 293
Johannes, freeholder, 283
J. H.,205
J. V. L., 339
Lansing, 339
Robert H., 327, 339 ; assemblyman,
327, 328
Samuel, 327, 337
Samuel, freeholder, 283
Public money distributed, 5
Public schools, none in 1810, 304
Pumpelly, Harmon, 329, 339
Purcell, John, 333
Pyper, Henry, soldier, 221
Pynchon, Col., Ill
Quackenboss, Henry, for assembly-
man, 293 ; Mrs. Isaac A., died,
390
Index.
Quackenboss, Johannes W., free-
holder, 283
Peter, freeholder, 283
Sybrant, freeholder, 283
Quahaug, shells used for wampum, 1
Quebec supplies to be intercepted,
192 ; project for taking, 181; meanly
fortified, 196; vessels wanted to
invade. 397
Queen Mary, 104, 1S8
Radley, William, died, m
Radlif, Johannes, freeholder, 282
John, takes oath, 124
Raedmacker, Jacob Adriaensz, 280
Rail roads obstructed by rain storm,
343 ; statistics, 340
Rain, guage, 340
Rain storm, 346, 349
Raley, Robert, soldier, 221
Ramsey. D. D., 351
Randall. Horace, died, 335
Mathu, soldier, 222
Rashiedeagoe, 162
Ratel watch, definition of, 268 ; salary
of, 104; to be paid, 92
Rathbone, John F., 338
Ratlif, Jacobus, freeholder, 282
.Lambert, freeholder, 282
Rattes kil (Rutten kil) 246, 311
Rawson, Rev. Thomas R., 325, 328
Reab, George, merchant, 289
Real estate valuation, 361
Records, Livingston, absconds with,
224 ; lost, 106 ; to be kept in Eng-
lish, 267
Redden, David, died, 336
Reed, Sylvanus, rector, 346
Reformed German Church, 285
Regan, John, died, 349
Relay, William 8., died, 336
Removal from city, prohibited, 207
Rensselaer, Hend, signs against Leis-
ler, ia5
Jacobus, freeholder, 283
John, freeholder, 283
Stephen, freeholder. 282, 283
William, freeholder, 283
colony, stockadoes apportioned to,
248 ; mill to be fortified, 225
Rensselaers-8tein,staple right claimed,
35
Rensselaerswyck, account of, colony
of, 9 ; boundaries questioned, 31 ;
separated from Beverwyck, 31 ;
deprived of excise revenue, 37 ;
endeavor to repurchase, 10: ex-
tent of, 25 ; regiment, 297 ; repre-
sented in convention, 1K64, 270 ;
admitted as the oldest colony,
270 ; to furnish fire wood and can-
dles to the blockhouse, 250 ; 260 ;
value of wampum in, 8; vote,
1789,300
Republican Artillery excursion, 344
Revolutions, 268 ; 1689, expenses of ,262
Reyers, Garrit., assessors, 245 ; alder-
man, 240
Reynolds, Marcus T M 327, 328, 338;
president northern rail road, 337
Mary, died, 343
Rhineland measure, 42
Rice, William A., 344
Mrs. Wm. H., died, 336
Richardson, Chas., 324
Cornelia Ann, died, 324
Richmond, houses, 1785 ; 295
Ridder, Hendrick D., freeholder, 283
Simon D., freeholder, 283
Rideing, definition of, 268
Riede,Xievt, 266
Riemer, Is : d, 139
Ring, Nathaniel, died, 351
Rip Van Winkle, steam boat, 325, 344
Riper, Claes, [Claee Ripse Van Dam?]
87, 121
Ripse, Claes, alderman, 105
River closed, 1849, 326, 327 ; in March,
333 ; open, 334 ; low water, 324 ;
open, 1850, 334
Roach, John, died, 324
Rob, John, soldier, 221
Robbery, penal offence, 293
Robertson, Alexander, and James, 284
Alexander, died, 290
Robinson, Albert D., 337
John B., died, 340
John, soldier, 222 ; imprisoned,
331
Robison & Hale, merchants, 286
Robison's corner, site of, 286
Robotham. Daniel, soldier. 222
Rochester, steam boat, sold, 327
Rock fish in the Hudson, 316
Rode, Maquase sachem, 96
Roelofse, Teunis, 139
Roessle, Jane, died, 333, 347
Theophilus, 333
Roff, Capt. John, 290
Rogers, Charles, takes oath, 124
Wm., takes oath, 124; freeholder,
283
Rom, rum, 268
Rombouts, Lena, deals in rum, 242
Rome, Brian, soldier, 223
Rookey, Maria, died, 332
Rose, Mrs. Isaac, died, 347
James R., clerk assembly, 327
Roseboom, Ahasuerus, freeholder, 283
Abraham, merchant, 292 ; died, 292
& Co.. merchants, 287
Fytie Pietersen, 212
Gerrit, freeholder, 282; consta-
ble, 251 ; high constable, 258
Gnysbert, freeholder, 283
Hend., his son restrained, 253;
voorleezer. 247
Hendrick M.', freeholder, 282
Jacob, freeholder, 282
Index.
391
Roseboom, Johannes, 119, 254, 256; as-
sistant alderman, 245: deacon,
261 ; freeholder, 282 : plaintiff, 243
Johannes, Jr., freeholder, 282
Robert, freeholder, 283
Rosie Jan., 242 : does not subscribe to
war fund, 119
Ross, Wm. H., 325
Rossman, J. B., 351
Rum, excise, 98: retailing to Indians
prohibited, 223, 226 ; see Liquors
Rumsey, Isaac, soldier, 222
Sargant Joseph, 222
Russell, Elihu, 328
Elizabeth, died, 343
Jubal T., died. 337
Rust.Claes, 123 ; officer at 18d a day,116
Ruster, Cajptain, 203
Rutgers, Harme, 119
Johannes, soldier, 116
Rutgert's, kil (Rutten or rats), 311
Rutten kil, 246; definition of, 311 ; its
location, 268 ; pastures on to be
sold, 87
Ruyoull (ryaoel, sewer), 26
Ryan, Cornelius, 333
Ryckman, Albt., 86, 92, 111, 113, 115,
119, 120, 121, 124, 127, 128, 129,
143, 148, 158, 164, 167, 170, 177,
181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 205, 207,
213, 246, 260 ; alderman, 93, 94,
103, 106, 107, 245, 250, 251, 258;
assessor, 240; his opinion on
Leisler's authority, 171 ; signs
protest, 176 ; assistant alderman,
' 65,84
Harm en, freeholder, 282
Peter, freeholder, 282
Tobias, freeholder, 282
Ryerse, Gert, 86, 87, 92, 121, 135, 143,
148, 158, 164, 165, 167, 182, 213 ;
alderman, 105, 200 ; councilman,
93, 103 ; concurs in protest, 177 ;
justice, 239
Jan, 281
Rysse, Claes, 143
Sabbath regulations, 85
Sachems, invited to stay here, 191 ;
may have a little rum, 117 ; rum
allowed to, 100
Sage, A. G., contractor, 347
John, 108, 109
Saggoddiochquisax, ^Oquedagoa, 186
St. Charles Hotel burnt, 348
St. Michaels, election on, 67
Salesbury, Francis, signs against Leis-
ler, 135 ; trooper, 116
Henry, died, 343 ; captain, sheriff,
33
Salmon, 319 ; in the Hudson river, 314 ;
no breeding places for them, 316
Salt merchant, 29:2
Salvay, Mons., died, 94
Sammons, James, died, 329
Sander Glen, Capt., 114: see Glen
Sanders, Barent, freeholder, 282 ; cap-
tain, 180; declines to obey,
Leisler's order, 172
Jacob, 242
James B., 325
Ens. Joh, 114, 121, 143,145, 146, 184 ;
took oath of allegiance, 156
Robt. 91, 101, 111, 116, 122, 129, 143,
184, 192, 209, 255, 266 ; firemaster,
258 ; his pasture, 58 : justice, 99 ;
sent to Indian council, 166 ; sent
to Indian council to interpret
proposition, 165 ; sent to Sara-
toga, 114; subscription to war
rand, 219 ; see Saunders
Sandkill, a city boundary, 62
Sansz, Everardus, 281
Santwoort, Arien, soldier, 222
Sarachtoge, 107 ; fortified, 115 ; French
at, removed, 107; garrison re-
called from, 159 ; garrison relieved,
123 ; Indian murders at, 114 ;
scouts sent to, 230 ; spy removed
from, 101 ; soldiers exchanged, 128 ;
troops to remain at, 122 ; vote,
1789, 300
Satterlee, Alderman, proposes to open
Lydius street, 330
Saunders, Leift. Rob., sent to procure
Indian aid, 120 ; see Sanders
Savage, John, freeholder, 282
Major, 114
Savings Institution chartered, 239
Saw mill on Bever kil, 103
Saxbury, Evert, freeholder, 282
Sayles, Geo. M., 339
Schadelle, Francis, died, 347
Schaets, Rev. Gideon, pastor, 33
Reynier, deceased, 183
Trynte, 212
Schaick, alderman, 151 ; see Van
Schaick
Schano, Christian, freeholder, 282
Schaticoke Indians, 108, 115. 180, 235 ;
invited to settle as the island, 184,
190, 191 ; march of, 214 ; permitted
to be purchased, 61 : soldiers sent
to, 260 ; vote 1789, 300
Schenck, Rev. William, 303
Schenectady, aftairs at, 234; attempt
to revolutionize, 171 ; citizens re-
quired by Milborneto appear be-
fore him, 140 ; privileges promised
by Milborne, 14l ; commissaris of,
10 ; condolence of Indians on mas-
sacre, 182; r,eply to, 189; could
not agree how to fortify, 115 ;
goods distributed in, 212; grants
aid in the French war, 122 ; Leis-
ler's authority declined, 172 ; Ma-
qu.-isesojdiers, 177; 178; massacre
at, 178, 202; feeble pursuit of the
enemy, 179 ; name for Albany,
392
Index.
Schenectady, contihued
318 ; New England soldiers, gar-
rison, 155 ; path, burial ground on ;
88; proportion of tax, 260; pro-
posal to garrison, 157, 158 ; pur-
chased, 43; deed of, by Indians,
44; settlers restricted from In-
dian trade, 45; rail road, 367;
prosperity of, 341 ; stockadoes
apportioned to 249; to be gar-
risoned, 229 ; fort to be built at,
230 ; vote 1789, 300 ; winter corn
to be saved, 184 ; goods delivered
to deacons, 211
Schermerhooren, Cornells, 212
Jacob Cornells, freeholder, 282"
Jacob, freeholder, 283 ; for assem-
blyman, 293
Jannetie, 212
Johannes, freeholder, 283
John W., federal elector, 298
Eeyer, delegate, 216; representa-
tive,^, 261 ; testifies in Livings-
ton's case, 217
Eeyer, Jacobse, justice, 237; his
pasture, 96
Simon, 212, 224 ; his testimony in
Livingston's case, 218
Schoharie plank road, 338 ; vote, 1789,
300
Schonowe, Schenectady, 44
School, 304; 1784, 291; 1785, 293; pro-
cession, 344
Schoolcraft, John L., 337 ; congress-
man, 350 ; light horse, 352
H. R., 2
Schoolmaster, first, 21
Schoonmaker, Mr., wins prize, 352
Schout fiscaal, 10
Schuyler, 149 ; see Davidse, Pieter
Abraham, 146, 148, 150, 151, 186,
19-2, 214, 215, 257; freeholder,
283; for assemblyman, 293; JUB-
tice, 99
Alida, <272
Ann, died, 337
Anna E., died, 330
Arent, 119, 214, 272; abuses fire-
masters, 90 ; fined, 91 ; signs
against Leisler, 134
Brant, 272
Capt. John, his journal, 234
Colonel, 54
David, 90, 107, 111, 113, 119, 121,122,
124, 127, 128, 129, 143, 164, 167,
170; alderman, 93, 94,103, 107;
first alderman, 65, 83; council-
man, 105, 106; freeholder, 283 ;
his opinion, on Leisler's author-
ity, 171 ; signs protest, 176 ;
widow of, 246
David, juror, 243
Ensign, 180
Gen.Philip,impri8on8Shoemaker,
299; heads constitutional pro-
Schuyler, continued
cession, 299 ; great bridge at his
house, 265; Indian commis-
sioner, 287 ; purchaser of Cosby's
manor, 334 ; senator, 293
Gertrude, 272
Guysbert, 272
Jacobus, freeholder, 283
Jeremiah, freeholder, 283
Johannes, 272 ; freeholder, 282 ;
signs against Leisler, 135
John, 272
Madam, 55
Margaret, deceased, 289, 272 ; loans
money to city, 159 ; subscription
to war fund, 119
Myndert, 256, 257; freeholder, 282;
signs against Leisler, 135
Peter, 88, 89, 91, 92, 95, 105, 111,
120, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 145,
148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156. 158,
160, 162, 164, 166, 167. 168, 170.
177, 179, 181, 182, 186, 211, 213,
214, 215, 232, 247, 249, 251, 261,
272 ; borrows money for city, 95 ;
first mayor, 64, 106, 107, 113, 116,
121, 177, 184, 198, 199, 205, 207;
freeholder, 283; put in posses-
sion of the fort, 135, 136, 238 ;
receives city charter, 56 ; refuses
to see Milborne, 137 ; signs pro-
test, 176; subscription, 119;
takes oath' of allegiance, 122 ; to
fortify patroon's mill, 225
Philip, 272, 28K; freeholder, 283;
Col. Philip, 55
Philip Pietersen, 38 ; first of the
Schuylers, 272 ; threatened by
Dyckman, 26
Pr.84
Pr. Davidtse, 242, 256, 257 ; consta-
ble, 94- married, 10; signs
against Leisler, 134
Sally, Mrs., died, 331
Stephen J., for assemblyman, 293
Stephen P., 330
Sybilla, 272 ; house burnt, 55 ; (near
State in Broadway), 264; widow
beats Milborne, 232
Scot, Jorge, soldier, 222
Scott, John Morin, purchaser of
Cosby's manor, 334
Thomas, died, 329
Scouts, pay of, 177
Scovil, Ashley, dted, 350
Seager, Johannes, freeholder, 283
Seaman, Catharine M., died, 324
David, 324
Seery, John, 3-33
Segersz, Cornells, 281
Selkirk, Francis N., died, 343
Senators elected, 1785, 293
Seneca, prisoners returned, 161, 162
Senecas, at war with Minquas, 278 ;
peace with, 165
Index.
393
Sewant, see Wampum
Seward, Umphery, witness, 238,
Sewer, (rnyoull), 265
Shackburg, Doctor, Yankee Doodle at-
tributed to, 313
Shad, Dutch name for, 319 ; in Hud-
son, 315
Shakers, bury Mother Ann Lee, 288
Shanks, Leift* refusal to quarter his
troops, 261
Sharp, George, soldier, 221
Sharpe, Capt. 107, 121
'Leift. Thos., commands the fort,
125, 128, 135 ; freeholder, 282 ; in-
quiry respecting, 132 ; to be su-
perseded, 130 ; his letter, 147
Shatemuck, the Hudson river, 317,318
Shaver, Tho., 125
Shaw, William, 256; ganger, 242;
searcher of the port, 246; takes
oath, 124
Sheldon, B. A., 351
Shered, Samuel, soldier, 222
Sheriff, ordered to impress carts, 263 ;
puts mark of broad arrow upon
goods,seized, 239 ; to lew licenses,
245
Sherman, Watts, 339, 350, 360
Sherwood, Joseph, died, 351
Ships, arrival of, 160; proposes to in-
tercept French supplies, 192
Shoemaker in jail, 299
Shotlander, David Mandre, soldier,223
Sickells, Zacharias, ratelman, 104 ;
town crier, 252
Alexander, 344
John A., 329
Thomas, merchant, 288
Sill, Richard, federalist, 298
Silley, soldier, 221
Sinerongnirese, 186
Sjeer, Tho., 214
Skepel, its capacity, 268
Skerrett, Mrs., died, 344
Skiwias, (alias Aepje), 19
Slack, Mrs. Granville, died, 348
Slavery, 1764, 50, 53
Slaves, 1785, 296
Slechtenhorst, Gerrit, member of con-
vention, 1664, 270
Sleighing, first, 1849, 326
Slingerlandt, Cornells, 113
Cornelius, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 288
Tennis, freeholder, 283
Sloan's tavern, 352
Sloop, quick trip of, 351
Slott, John, 139
Smeeds, EHhu, murderer, 301
Smeeman, Herman, 270
Smit, see Myndert Frederickse
Smith, Alexander, murderer, 290
Andrew, soldier, 222
Carsten Frederickse, 98
Isaac, murdered, 290
Smith, Peter, Jr 351
Thomas Sanderz, 281
Snow, 324, 352 : 1850, 328, 335, 336 ;
in May, 339 ; in Nov , 1789, 301
shoes, 109 ; storm, first, 1850 ; 352
Soap and candle factory, 1788, 299
Sodrachdrasse, sachem, 44
Soghmaekelyk, Pieter, 45
Soldiers furnished with bedding, 266 ;
from Connecticut, pay of, 159 ;
from New England, welcomed,
155; in fort demand pay, 128;
furnished to Albany, 231 ; neglect
of, 254 ; order for quartering, 263 ;
264 ; paid 12d a day, 115, 116 ; pay
25s. a month. 143 ; pay of, 1689, 221 ;
1690, 142 ; petition for aid in pro-
viding for. 241 ; quartering, of. 240 ;
refused, 203; refused to quarter,
226 ; to take oath of fidelity, 124
Sopus, Kingston, 268, 278
South America steam boat sold, 327
Southey, Rdbert, died, 327
Spaniard, John, soldier, 223
Specie, held in derision by Indiana, 3
Speker, Rode, 186
Spelman, B. R., captain, 349
Spencer, John C., 327
Spiers, Timothy, died, 343
Spouts to be repaired, 86
Springfield, mail from. 303
Spriugstead, Mrs. David, died, 340
Spruytes of the Mohawk, 311
Staats, Abrah, 208
Abraham, 170, 242 ; his garden,
58
Anna, died, 332
Barent, freeholder, 283
Barent P., 327, .338
Isaac, freeholder, 282
Jacob, 119, 258, 260, 264 ; assistant
alderman, 251 ; alderman, 257 ; as-
sessor, 240, 245 ; councilman, 93 ;
justice, 237
Jochim, Lieut., 116, 119, 1 21, 123,
128, 145, 146, 155, 157, 168, 179,
182, 185 ; attempts to revolu-
tionize Schenectady, 171 ; assist-
ant alderman, 65, 84 ; com-
mander of the fort, 111, 179 ;
180, 184, 186, 208 ; to be quartered
in Fort Orange, 167 ; cowardice
of, 181 ; declines to divide his
company, 157 ; or to show his
commission, 158; elected cap-
tain, by youths, 145, 146; en-
deavors to proclaim for Leisler,
at Schenectady, 172 ; his sloop
brings Milborne. 136; induced
to side with Leisler, 129, 130 :
insists on proclaiming Wm. and
Mary, 169, 170 ; intractable, 147 ;
justice, 106,12 1; sent to Saratoga,
114 ; Leisler' s officer sued for
planks, 238 ; protest sent by 135,
394
Index.
Stoats, continued
128, 129; sued for hats, 352;
takes sides with Milborne, 137
Col. Philip, 332
Samuel, 202
Stadt house, Its location, 250; (City
hall), 268
Stadtler, John P., died, 345
Stafford, Spencer, 285
Stage to New York, 302 ; 1785, 294
Stanton, Thomas, Indian agent, 5
Starr, Richard, died, 324
State population, 296 ; bank dividend,
328
Staten Island, wampum made on, 6
Statistics, 355, 360
Steamboat, fare 6# cts., 340 ; 25cte,
335 ; obstructed, 325 ; sale, 327
Steenhouse, James, freeholder, 282
Steenhuysen, Engelbert, 270
Steenwyk, Cornelius, 270
Steeprock, Indian racer, 335
Stephentown, vote 1789, 300
Sterling, Lord, died, 286
Stevens, Mrs. Peter D., died, 349
Samuel, 339
William, died, 345
Stevense, Cornelius, 120
Jonas, soldier, 221
Stevensen, Coert, 270
Thomas, soldier, 222
Stevenson, Douw & Ten Eyck, 296
James, 339 ; freeholder, 282
Stewart, James, trader, 290
Still water, vote, 1789, 300
Stillwell, Lieut. Nicholas, 278
Stockadoes, apportioned .to citizens,
99 ; described, 269 ; fine for cutting
down, 97 ; houses to be removed
sixty paces from, 183, 192 ; ordered,
114; order to repair, 92; price
. paid for, 249 ; so short the Indians
could jump over them, 188 ; to be
inspected, 258; to be repaired,
246; length of, prescribed, 247,
249 ; to be set up, 262, 263 ; to
have breast works, 225, to be in-
spected, 229
Stonehouse, John B., president fire
department, 329, 351
Mrs. John B., died, 343
Stone house tavern, 285, 292 ; on Mo-
hawk, 95
Stores, sent up by Leisler, 142
Storm, 342
Strawberries, variety of, 341
Strays, pertain to the corporation, 61
Street scenes, 1764, 49 .
Streets, repairs of, 265
Streets to be cleared, 255, 261, 263
Stringer, Dr, Samuel, medicine store,
287
Strong, Richard M,, takes medal, 320
Strycker, Jan, 270
Stuart, James, 123
Sturgeon in Hudson, 315
Sturgis, Sargant, Thomis, 222
Stuyver, its value, 269
Stuyvesant, Peter, 11, makes war on
'Indians, 278 ; his illegal acts com-
plained of, 33, 34 ; hostile to. pa-
troon, 10 ; his post,62 ; visit Bever-
wyck, 11, 31 ; entertained, at pa-
troon's expense, 11 : threatens to
destroy patroon's buildings, 13;
sends up soldiers, 15; his leg
not silver, 15; his illegal pro-
ceedings, 16, 17 ; imprisons van
Slechtenhorst, 24, 32
Style, old and new. 269
Subscription to French war fund,
1689, 119 ; insufficient and there-
fore annulled, 120
Suckhaunock, black wampum, 1
Suffolk Bounds, 221
Sunday, desecrated at Kinderhook,
252, 254 ; police, 1790, 303 ; trade
prohibited, 102
Supahoof, Indian chief, 19
Swart, Dirk, 287 ; anti federal elector,
298
Elias, 212
Gerrit, 274; schout, 273, 274;
sheriff, 32, 33, 35
Peter, for assemblyman, 293
Swartout, Roelof, justice, 237
Swinburne, John, 351
Swinton, Isaac, first recorder, 64
Swits, Isaac, freeholder, 283
Isaac Cornelis, lieutenant, 237
Taber, Azor, 328
Tachkanick, 194
Tahaiadoris, chief sachem of Maquas,
164, 165
Tailor's prices, 1785, 294
Taller, Jacobus, trader, killed, 290
Talmadge, Leift Enos, 155
Tappen, Gerrit, soldier, 221
Tapsters fined, 42
Taptoo, definition of, 269 ; liquors not
to be sold after, 93
Tassemaker, Dom, 218
Tavern regulations, 1687, 93
Tax, 1694, 259; 1850, 356; for city
charges, 92 ; for city government,
1849, 364 ; 1850, 367"; levy for city
expenses, 86; levied, 1693, 247,
248 ; to be levied, 264 ; to be col-
lected, 265
Taxation, 1849, 50 ; rates of, 361
Tayler, John, 818 ; assemblyman, 293
Taylor, James, 325, 339
John, 339
John R., 349 ; president, funeral
obsequies, 343
Tehoesequathq, warrior, 235
Index.
395
Teller, A., signs against Leisler, 135
Andrews, Jr., signs against Leis-
ler, 135
Caspr., 214 ; signs against Leister,
135
Jobs., constable, 257
Mr. Jacob, 242
Susanne, 212
William, 45; defendant. 242; re-
fuses to quarter soldiers, 226;
signs against Leisler, 134
Temperature, 324, 329, 330, 331, 332:
1789, 300, 301 ; 1790, 303
Temple, Eobert E., 328, 332
Ten Broeck, Abraham, federal elector,
298
Cornelius, freeholder, 282
Dirk, freeholder, 283
Dirk Wessels, his garden, 58 ; first
alderman, 65, 83
Gen M his house, 292
Johannes, freeholder, 282
John, alderman, 290
Wessel, 90, 208, 247 ; assistant al-
derman, 240, 245; baker, 240;
constable, 94; signs against
Leisler, 135
Teneur, Lieut. Daniel, sent in pur-
suit of Livingston, 204
Ten Eyck, Anthony, anti federal elect-
or, 298
Coenraet, freeholder, 283
Hendrick, 139, 146 ; freeholder, 282
Jacob, 254 ; assessor, 251 ; free-
holder, 282
Jacob C., freeholder, 282
Jacob H., 328, 339
Visscher, 355 ; treasurer of the fire
department, 329
Terneur, Daniel, 270
Teunise, Cornelius, 22, 119, 252
Dirck, justice, 208
Dirk, 113, 123, l r ,0, 260; sent to
Ulster for assistance, 116; [Van
Vechten], 125, 127
Capt. Gert, 114, 115, 116, 119, 120,
122, 123, 143, 145, 179, 181, 184,
247, 260 ; agent, to New Eng-
land, 193, 196, 198 ; his company,
116;* his return from Connec-
ticut, 142; sent to treat with
Connecticut, 125, 126 ; subscrip-
tions of his company, to war
*fund, 120
Eghbert, 121, 128, 129, 143, 182,
213; alderman, 105, 200; as-
sistant alderman, 245 ; assessor,
251, 258 ; concurs in protest, 177 ;
councilman, 103 ; juror, 243 ; sent
to Saratoga, 114
Kutger, soldier, 116
Sweer, 122, 143, 145; protest
against Leisler' s proceedings,
172; executors sued, 243; mes-
senger to Indians, 160
Tennlssen, But, 214
Dirk, 247
Gysbert, 270
Thayer, Walter B., died, 351
Theatricals, 1785, 294, 296
Thomas, Charles, died, 329
Capt. commander of the fort, 103
John, soldier, 222
W. J., 349
Thomase, Johannes, 119, 258. 264 ; as-
sistant alderman, 251, 258 ; signs
against Leisler, 135
Frans, soldier, 221
Jan, 280
Thompson, Alexander, 352
Ens : Gabriel, 119, 120, 122, 127,
143, 148, 155, 186, 192, 224,256, 113
Israel, 287; anti-federal elector,
298; for assemblyman, 293
John, takes oath, 124
Samuel, died, 290
Thomson, John, assemblyman, 298
Thorburn, Samuel T., 328
William 338
Thornton, Margaret Ann, died, 344
Thyssen, John, justice, 237
Tibbitts, Benjamin, 339
Ticonderoga, defeat of, 1758, 55
Tierks, Hester, executrix of Volkert
Pieterse, 256
Timber allowed to be cut on common,
61
Tinonderoga, vote to sell lands at, 92
Tioghsahron^de, or Hudson river, 318
Tiouondage, castle at 113; Indians,
180 ; Indians torment prisoner,
181
Tiononderoga, explored, 87; land at
petitioned for, 101 ; permitted to
be purchased, 61
Tithes, compounded, 42
Tivoli Hoee Co. officers, 328
Torch light procession, 348
Tosoquatho, Odagerasse, 186; Indian
messenger, 162, 164, 165
Town clerk, salary of, 86
Hall, 57, 59 ; 1764, 48
ladders, rules about, 97
Townsend, Franklin, 337, 364 ; may-
or, 336; president Emigrant's
Friend Society, 353
Howard, 351
John, 328, 340; president savings
bank, 339
Tracy & Edson, distillery, 335
John, 328, 353
Traders not to export, 199
Trauis, Philip, 'soldier, 222
Treadwell, Geo. C., 328
Treat, Robert, governor of Connecti-
cut, 121
Tremer, James A., 338
Trees in street, 1764, 48
Trinity church repaired, 326
Trip, William, soldier, 223
396
Index.
Troopers to, set up stockadoes^ 114
Troops, eastern, motley, 312
Trotter, Mathew, died, 350
Troy, ancient name of, 28 ; first so
called, 300 ; steam boat sold, 327
Truax, see JL)e Teurcx, aud De Trieux
Tryoii, Gen., visits Albany, 285
Tsenondoga, savage, died, 235
Tuite, Mrs. Thomas J., died, 344
Tuimell, Richd., takes oath, 124
Turke, Jacobus, 119, 199, 264
Turkeys abundant, 281
Turner, Isaac, died, 340
Thomas, died, 324
Tweddle & Darlington, 333
Tweed Dale, William A., preceptor,
305, 306
Twigh Twighs, threaten Five Na-
tions, 159
Twist, Charles, soldier, 221
Lieut., ordered to force Wm. Tel-
ler's house, 226
Tyler, James B., died, 240
Tysse, Jan, soldier. 223
TJail, Samuel, soldier, 222
Ulster county, applied to for aid, 121,
193, 196
United States creditors, meeting of,
286
Unity, Dirk Bensing's boat, 242
Universalist church, 337 ; excursion,
345
Uss, Francis, burglar, hanged, 301
Utica, . original proprietors of, 334 ;
and Schen R. R., 352
Uytersael, Abram, soldier, 222
Valiand, Canadian Jesuit, 216 ; inven-
tory of his goods, 219
Van Aernum, Abraham, freeholder,
283
Isaac, overseer poor, 293
John, freeholder, 283
Van Alen, Laurens, justice, 90, 237,
256 ; assistant alderman, 65, 84 ;
barn fortified, 115
Johannes, freeholder, 282
William, freeholder, 283
Van Alkmaer, Adriaen Pietersz, 281
Van Alstyne, Abraham I., assembly-
man, 292
Isaac, killed, 290
Van Benthuysen, Baltus, collector, 293
Charles, 337
Gerrit, freeholder, '282
Van Berckel, P. J., Dutch minister,
288
Van Bergen, Marte Gerritse, see
Gerritse
Mary, died, 330
Peter, assessor, 293
Van Bommel, Harme Jause, 112
Jeronimee, soldier, 222
Van Bremen, Jan Dircksen, 11
Van Breucfcelen, Cornelis Teunisz, 22
Van Bronk, Jonas, 18
Van Brugge, Carl, 14, 15, 18 : provin-
cial secretary, 30
Pieter, high constable, 251, 260,
264 ; (see Van Brugh.)
Van Buren, Barent Martense, free-
holder, 283
Hendrick, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Van Cleef, Jan, 270
Van Corlaer, Bennony, 96, 119, 240,
258, 264 ; assessor, 251 , assistant
alderman, 240 ; high constable,
94 ; signs against Leisler, 135
Bennony, juror, 243
Van Cortlandt, Stephanus, 279; mar-
ried Gertrude Schuyler, 272
Van Couwenhooven, Lieut. Pieter W.,
278
Van Curler, (or Corlear) Arendt, 38,
45, 47, 280; his testimony, 34;
purchases Schenectady, 43, 44 ; to
treat with Indians, 22
Van Dam, Claes Ripse, 87, 122, 127,
128, 129, 150, 158, 164, 167, 170, 182,
184, 192, 207, 213, 261 ; alderman,
103, 200 ; his opinion on Leisler's
pretensions, 171 ; signs protest,
176 ; to inspect stockadoes, 229
Vande Berg, Guysbert Cornelisz, 281
Van de Bilt, Jacob, chandler, 299
Vande Hoeve, Cornells, deceased, 259
Jan, constable, 251
Van Dell, Godevridus, 96 ; see Delliua
Van den Burgh, Cornelius, Jr., free-
holder, 283
Cornelise K., merchant, 289
Garrit, freeholder, 283
Gerrit Willemse, freeholder, 283
Gysbert, freeholder, 283
Matthias, freeholder, 283
Nicholas, freeholder, 282
Petrus, freeholder, 282
Volkert, freeholder, 283
Wilhelmus, freeholder, 283
Wynant, freeholder, 283
Van Deusen, Harpert, freeholder, 282
Harpert, Jr., freeholder, 283
Peter, chandler, 299
Vander Beck, Coenradus, soldier, 222
Van der Donck, mentions whales, 311 ;
on fishes, 319
Vanderheyden, Dirk, 110, 257
David, freeholder, 282
Jacob, assessor, 293: freeholder
283, merchant, 292 ; deceased, 331
Janet, died, 331
Johannes, freeholder, 128, 282;
takes oath, 128
Matthias, freeholder, 283
Index.
397
Vanderheyden's ferry named Troy, 300
Vanclerhoeve, widow, Maritie, 259
Cornelise, his house to be taken
down, 182
Vander Kemp's, 43
Vanderpool, Abraham, freeholder, 292
Catharine, 119
Melgert Wynantse, assistant al-
derman, 65, 84 ; see Wynantse,
Melgert
Vander Spiegel, Jacobus, soldier, 222
Vander Utthoft, Wouter. 256, 257
Vanderzee, Anthony, freeholder, 283
Van De Ven, J., 274
Van Dinclage, at Staten Island, 29
Vandyck, Cornells, assemblyman, 298 ;
estate appraised, 92 ; freeholder,
282
Mrs. Elizabeth, 92
Hend., 242, ,247, 264; attorney,
248 ; attorney general, ill usage
of, 29, 30; assistant alderman,
200, 240, 245, 251 : assessor, 257 ;
councilman, 105 ; signs against
Leisler, 134 ; juror, 243
Peter D ..merchant, 291
Van Eerde, Willem, 212
Van Eps, Lieut. Jan, 114, 121, 122, 143,
145 : took oath of allegiance, 156
Van Es, 281 (Van Ness ?)
Van Everen, Barent, died, 337 ; see
Van leveren
Van Feurden, Henry, 202
Van Heynigen Thomas, died, 344
Van Hoese, Jurian, 183; accused of
stealing water melons, 240
Jacob, 120
Jan, 280
Volkert, 120
Van leveren, Barent, freeholder, 283
Myndert, freeholder, 282
Kegnier, freeholder, 283 : see Van
Everen
Van Ilpendam, Adrian, notary, died,94
Van Imbroeck, Gysbert, 270
Van Korlaers, Bennony, curtain at, to
be repaired, 182
Van Laer, Jacob, 212
Van Loon, John, coroner, 94 ; plaint-
iff, 239; removed on suspicion,
108, 110, 111
Van Namee Guards, hatters, 350
Van Ness, Gerrit, 240, 258, 264, 266;
alderman, 258 ; assessor, 251 ;
assistant alderman, 200 ; con-
stable, 103, 245 : firemaster, 252 ;
overseer of high way, 252; free-
holder, 283 ; councilman, 93, 105 ;
signs against Leisler, 135 ; sues
for planks, 238; witness, 238
Hend., 119
Jan, 119 ; freeholder, 283
Peter, senator, 287: Symon, 184,
209 ; to go in search of enemy,
230
Annals, ii. 34
Van Nostrandt, Jacob Janse, 280
Van Oort, Goosen, 212
Van Orden, Hezekiah, federalist, 298
Van Olinda, Peter, 101, 212
Pieter Danielse, 45
Van Petten, Claes, 115, 119 ; justice,
237
Van Purmnrent, Claes Lawrence, 101
Van Ravesteyn, Elias, takes oath,
124
Van Rensselaer, family seat, 311
General Stephen, 323 ; federalist,
298 ; school trustee, 305
Guiliam, 208
Hendrik, 47
Henry I., assemblyman, 293
Henry K., assemblyman, 298
Jan Baptist, 24, 25, 33, 38, 273,
274, 280 ; arranges for tapsters,
39 ; director of colony, 32, 33 ;
elected magistrate, 25 ; fined by
Stuyvesant, 41 ; died, 47
Jeremiah, assemblyman, 298 ;
army encamp on his land, 312
Jeremias, 279 ; member of con-
vention, 1664, 270; president of
the same, 270 ; succeeds to the
manor, 47 ; his correspondence,
47
John, 277; instructions for his
colony, 274; freeholder, 283;
heir to the manor, 9, 11
Kilian, 47, 113, 116, 123, 143, 145,
150, 158, 159, 164, 165, 167, 170,
184, 192, 199, 205, 248, 261, 262 ;
induced to release city of Al-
bany, 56 ; agent to Boston, 125,
126 ; his garden, 58 ; his opinion
on Leisler 1 s pretensions, 171 ;
his proportion of tax, 260 ; his
return from Connecticut, 142;
justice, 106 ; signs protest,' 176 ;
subscription to war fund, 119 ;
takes oath of allegiance, 122
Lieut. Col. John, 297
Philip, alderman, 2.K)
Philip S., 303, 306 ; school trustee,
304, 305, 306
Reusselaer, died, 327
Rev. Nicholas, married Alida
Schnyler, 272 ; died, 47
Sanders, died, 347
Stephen, Jr., 340; title confirmed
by British government, 56
Van Sante, David, freeholder, 282
Garrit, freeholder. 28'2
Johannes, 119 ; constable, 94 ; free-
holder, 282 ; high constable, 94 ;
juror, 243
Joseph, freeholder, 282
Van Santvoord, A., 327
Van Schaik, Adrian, 139
Anthony, 119, 254; freeholder,
282; constable at Half Moon,
101
393
Index.
Van Schaick, Goosen Gerritsen, mar-
ried, 10 ; died, 10
Jacob, merchant, 286
Van Schaik, Liv., 84, 92, 107, 116, 119,
120, 129, 143, 145, 157, 158, 164,
167, 168, 170, 177, 178. 182, 184,
186, 192, 205, 207, 211 ; first alder-
man, 65, 83, ; alderman, 93, 94 y
103 106, 180,240 ; agent to New
York, 192 ; cowardice of, 181 ;
protest sent by, 125; delivers
protest to Leisler, 130 ; his opin-
ion on Leisler's authority, 171 ;
on select committee, 193 ; signs
protest, 176 ; to fortify patroon's
mill, 225
Nicholas, freeholder, 282
Sybrant, freeholder, 282, 283
Sybrant, Jr., freeholder, 282
Van Schelluyne, 29
Dirk, freeholder, 282 ; member of
convention, 1664, 270
Harmanus, freeholder, 282
Johannes, freeholder, 282
Teleman, .freeholder, 282
William, freeholder, 282
Van Schoouhoven, James, assembly-
man, 292
Van Sickler, E. M., 353
Van Slechtenhorst, Brant, 10, 31
Arent, director, 9
Gerrit, director, 10 ; champion of
Rensselaerswyck, 10 ; protests
against btuyvesant, 11, 18 ; ex-
tends patrooa's territory, 19;
imprisoned, 24; deposed and
imprisoned, 32 ; his family, 10 ;
died, 10
Margritta, 272
Van Slyck, Akes Cornelissen, his de-
position against Robert Livings-
ton, 216, 217
Van Tienhoven, Adriaen, receiver
general, 30
Cornelius, attorney general, 30 ;
accused of drunkenness, 31
Van Tilburgh, Isaac Jansen T soldier,
222
Johannes, soldier, 222.
Van Tricht, Abraham, 86
Elizabeth, 119 ; sued, 241, 242
VanTwiller, J., 38
Wouter, his claims, 19 ; died, 9
Van Valkenburgh, Abraham, free-
holder, 283
Bartholomew, died, 351
Johannes, freeholder, 283.
John, 332
Mary, died, 332
Mrs. Daniel, died, 346
Van Vechten, see Dirk Teunisse
Douw, freeholder, 283
Hall, 329
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Johannes, Jr., freeholder, 283
Van Vechten, Joh. Gerritse, soldier, 116
Lucas, for assemblyman , 293
Solomon, freeholder, 283
Teunis, 339 ; president of the Al-
bany Insurance company, 328
Teunise, Dirkse, soldier, 116
Teunis Ts., merchant, 292
Volkert, freeholder, 283 '
Van Velsen, Sweer Teunissen, 217
Van Voorhout, Cornells Cornelisz,
281
Jacobus, city porter, 87 ; city car-
ter, 91
Van Vranken, Ulderick, freeholder.
282
Van Waggelum, Capt. Pieter, 110,
157, 209, 225, 239 ; treats with Mil-
borne, 155
Van Waggoner, Rev. M., valedictory,
Van Weesp. Gysbert Cornelisz, 280
Van Wely, Johannes, 24 ; died, 9
Van Wencom,. Gerrit, 32
Van Wie- Gerrit, freeholder, 283
Hendrick, freeholder, 283
John, freeholder, 283
Van Woort, Jacob, freeholder, 283
Nicholas, freeholder, 282
Peter, freeholder, 283
Rutger, freeholder, 283
Van Zandt, Mrs. Benjamin, died, 336
Vedder, Arent, 212
Harmen, 212
Marius, 212
Veeder, Johannes Symenge, free-
holder, 28a
Verbeeck, -Hendricksz, 281
Jan, 280; member of convention,
1664, 270
Verbrugh, Pr., constable, 245, see
Van Brugh
Vermilje, Joannes v 139, 202
Verplanck, David, freeholder, 283
Gulian, freeholder, 282
Isaac, assistant alderman, 65, 84 ;
constable, 86, 88; councilman,
94 ; high constable, 91, 94 .
Isak, 111, 113, 119, 242, 254, 256
Ver Planken, Isaak, signs against
Leisler 135
Verveeler, Johannes, 270
Verwy. Tryntin, 212
Vice-director's house, 42
Viele, Arnout Cornelise, defendant,
238, 23ft
Cornelise, 212 ; sent to New York,
181 ; surgeon, 224
Henry K., takes medal, 320
Isaac, freeholder, 283
Rufus K., 325
Teunis, 212; freeholder, 283; fine
remitted, 244
Villeroy, Pietre, illicit trader, 243;
deposition of, 109: removed on
suspicion, 107, 108, 110, 111
Index.
399
Vinnagen, Jan, 90, 199, 240, 254, 256 ;
assistant alderman, 240 ; firemas-
ter 252 : freeholder, 282
Virginia, called upon for aid, 181
Visscher, Ann, died, 324
Harmanus, freeholder, 283
Jacob, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 283
Matthew, 287 ; assemblyman, 293 ;
assistant alderman, 290 ; county
clerk, 297
Tennis, freeholder, 283; wins
prize, 350
Volcker, Symon, 212
Volckers, Nieces, 212
Volkertse, Jonas, 257; juror, 243
Volkertsen, Symon, 45
VOB, Cornells Cornelisz, 280
Andries, deputy, 15
Vosburg, Abraham Pietersz, 281
Isaac, 260
John, 325, 344
Pieter, 247, 260
Vose & Co., stoves, 335
Voss, Jacob, 119
Vossen kil, 281 ; see also Fox creek
Vote, polled 1850, 350 ; see election
Vrooman, Adam, 101, 212 ; petition for
land, 95: sends Milborne's
letter to Mayor Schuyler, 139;
his reply to Milborne, 140
Bartel, 114 ; his house fortified,
115
Cornelia 109
Isaac, federalist,298 ; foraesembly-
man, 292
Jacob Meese, signs against Leis-
ler, 135
Peter, anti-federal elector, 298 ; as-
semblyman, 292; eee alsoFroo-
raan
Vyde kil (fifth kil, Pafcroon's creek),
311
Vyselaer, John Cornelise, defendant,
239, 256; signs against Leisler,
134; appraiser of houses to be
taken down, 182 ; firemaster, 252
Waddell, Samuel, died, 349
Waell (ditches), 264
Waggoner, J. H., 344
Wait, John C., died, 336
Wakefield, Tho., takes oath, 125
Wakeman, Ensiue Ebennazar, 222
Waldron, Charles N., takes medal, 320
Henry, takes medal, 320
William, freeholder, 282
Walfahrt r Ferdinand, glass factory,
297
Walker, Mary Ann, died, 339
Wallace, Benjamin, merchant, 291
Christopher, 333
Robert, died, 346
Walters, Richard, soldier, 221
Wampenakicks, 28
Wampi, White, 1
Wampum, 1 ; its manufacture labo-
rious, 2 : circulating medium, 4 ;
definition of, 269; made in Al-
bany, '&; on Staten Island, 6 ; on
Long Island, 6 ; its mode of inanu-
iacture, 7 ; its value, in 1660, 8 ;
stolen, 84, 85 ; wars attributed to,
2 ; its qualities, 3 ; its value, 4, 5 ;
its importance in all public busi-
ness, 5
Wampumit, Indian chief, 19
Wampumpeage, 1, 4
Wandelaer, see De Wandelaer
Wanemankeebe, Indian owner, 19
Wantenaar, Albert Cornells, 270
War between France and England,
111
with France, 107
fund, subscription to, 1689, 119
Ward, Mrs. Aaron S., died, 352.
Warford, Rev. John, 303
Warners, Tryntie, widow of Carsten
Frederickse, 99
Warren, Hannah L., died, 349
Leonard G., "351
Washburn, Bethuel, assessor, 293
Washington's birthday celebrated, 332
Wasson, James D., 327, 338, 339, 340
Watch, by soldiery irregular, 104;
house, 1686, 59: ordered to be
kept, $2; regulated, 158; volun-
teer night, 345
Water, project, loan for, 350
runs to be repaired, 264
supply project, 337
supply sought for, 285
works, bids for construction, 347
Waterman, Mrs. Augustus, died, 350
Waters, John, freeholder, 283
Watervliet kiL 318; signification of.
311 ; turnpike election, 340 ; vote
1789, 300
Wawyachtenock Indians, 118, 120
Way, Rev. P. M., 330
Hester Maria, died, 330
Weak Faith Strengthened, 288
Weaver, William, soldier, 222
Webster, Charles R,, 285, 286, 298;
school trustee, 305
George, 298
Noah, his third part, 295
Webster's Calendar first printed, 290
Weed, Thurlow, 328
Weems, Captain, chamber hired for.
226
Weigh house, 78
Weith, James, soldier, 223
Welch, .Sarah, died, 351
Wells, A. H., 325
Edmund, for assemblyman, 293
Henry J., 328
Sidney, died, 336
regulations of,88 ; to be repaired,8C
400
Index.
Wemp, Barent, captain, 211, 212, 237 ;
executor, 243 ; officer of guard,
235
Diener, 212
Jan Barentse, 45
Myndert, 217 ; Leisler's justice at
Schenectady, 171
Wendell, Abraham E., freeholder, 283
& Trotter, merchants, 291
Capt., 104, 113, 116, 127, 136, 145,
172, 177, 183 ; his company, 113,
116 ; to repair stockadoes, 115 ;
his opinion in Dutch, on Leis-
ler's authority. 171
Cornelius and John H., merch., 291
Cornelius, supervisor, 293
Ephraim, freeholder, 282
Evert, 119. 242, 256, 257 ; assistant
alderman, 258; freeholder, 282;
his pasture, 58
Evert, Jr., 224; constable, 94
Hannanus, freeholder, 282 ; house
of, 292
Isaac, freeholder, 282
Jan, 111, 124, 178, 220 ; alderman,
106, 107, 113, 120
Jeronimus, 119, 152 ; receives com-
missions from Leisler, 171
Johannis, (same as Jan) 92, 126,
158, 166, 182, 198, 199, 205, 207,
214, 215, 217 ; first alderman, 65,
83 ; alderman,93, 94,103, 214, 217 ;
illicit trader, 239 ; suspends his
vote, 136 ; mayor under Leisler,
237
Capt. Johannes, (same as above),
84, 119, 121, 125, 126, 129, 143,
148, 160, 170, 209, 225, 164, 167,
170 ; sent to assist Schenectady,
115 ; Leisler willing to treat
with, 117; deceased. 241
John W., assistant alderman, 290 ;
hatter, 288
Mrs. William, died, 339
Philip, 119
Wendell's mill, location of, 269
Wertze, Jan, soldier, 223
Wessells, D., 84, 86, 87, 92, 107, 111,
119, 120, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128,
129, 143, 157, 158, 164, 166, 167,
168, 170, 178, 179, 180, 186, 207,
211, 213, 214, 215, 244, 262; re-
corder, 106, 113, 177, 184, 185,
198, 199, 205; on select commit-
tee, 193 ; to prepare munitions
for expedition against French,
228; replies to Milborne, 137;
representative, 253, 265 ; sent to
assist Schenectady, 115 ; signs
protest, 176 ; takes oath of alle-
giance, 122 ; see Ten Broek
[ajor, 251. 261, 267 ; required to
perform his duty, 264
West India Company inefficient, 271
Stockbridge rail road, 368
git
Maic
Westenhook river, canoe to be pro-
vided for, 142
Westercamp, Hendrick, 281
Westerlo, Eilardus, 297
Rensselaer, 284
Whale island, 811
Wheat, price, 1693, 252; receipts of,
349, 352
Wheel, large cast, 326
Wheeler, Mrs. Hiram, died, 334
Nath., witness, 254
Whig election, 339
Whipping for manslaughter, 301 ; for
petit larceny, 293 ; in navy, 338
White, Rich., takes oath, 124
Samuel, 339
Whitney, Hezekiah W., died, 350
Selleck, died, 336
S W., 349
William B., for senator, 293
Whittirigham, Rt. Rev. Bishop, conse-
crates church, 346; lays corner
stone, 343
Wickes, Jonas, died, 326
Wilkinson, Thomas, freeholder, 282
Willem , 135 ; the Indian, 214
Willemstadt, now Albany, 311
Willet, James, 125
Elbert, for assemblyman, 292 ; site
of house, 291
William and Mary proclaimed, 101
of Orange, 216, 217
Williams,. C. P., 328, 353, 355
James B., died, 331
Symon, soldier, 221
Thomas, freeholder, 282
Williamsburgh, houses, 1785, 295
Williamstadt, so called, 57
Wilmington, houses, 1788, 295
Wilson, Alexander, soldier, 222
Gilbert L., takes medal, 323
James, 345, 346
James A., 325, 337
John Q., 338
Richard, takes oath, 124
Stuart, bookstore of, 285
Winantse, Melgerl, see Vanderpoel
Winantze, seeWynantse
Wind mills for cleaning wheat, 292
Wine excise, 34, 37
Wing, J. K.. died, 329
Winne, Benjamin, freeholder, 283
D., 351
Daniel, freeholder, 283
Giles K., 340
Isaac, died, 326
Jellis, assistant alderman, 290
John L., died, 330
Levinus L., 324
Lieve, 120
Peter, 184 ; appraisers, of houses to
be taken down, 182 ; freeholder,
283 ; town major, 209
William, freeholder, 283
Winslow, Edward T., died, 329
Index.
401
Witbeck, Abraham, freeholder, 283.
Garret, nailer, 296
John, freeholder, 283
Luykas, freeholder, 283
Witchcraft, defence against, 2
Witment, John, house attacked, 111
Wogolem, Pieter, captain, 237 ; see
Van Waggelnm
Wolcott, Oliver, 289
Wolleston, John, soldier, 223
Woodbury, horses returned to, 155
Wood creek, 234 ; for Indian trader,
246
Woodert, James, soldier, 222
Woutersen, Gerrit, soldier, 221
Wright, Lieut. Jonathan, 209
Wrighteon, George, takes medal, 320
William, takes medal, 320, 323
Wyckoff, I. N., 353
Wynantse, Melgert, 209 ; firemaster,
90, 97, 252, 258 ; purchases Butter-
milk falls, 103 ; see Vanderpool.
Wyngaard, Lucas, 307: freeholder, 282
Luykas Johs., freeholder, 2B2
Wyngaard, Luykas Gerritse, free-
holder, 282
Wyngaert, Abraham, freeholder, 283
Johannes, freeholder, 282
Wynkoop, Cornells J., auctioneer, 302
Yardin, Samuel, soldier, 222
Yates, Abraham, postmaster, 291
Adam, freeholder, 283
Christopher, 287 ; freeholder, 282
Henry, 330
Peter W., 287 ; alderman, 290 ; for
assemblyman, 293
Yetts, Jos., takes oath, 91, 125
Young, Archibald, 329
George, 351
Left. Symon, 255
Men's Association, 325
Younglove, John, 287
Zewant, (wampum), 269
Zwanendaal, repurchased, 10
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
F
129
A357M8
1850
V.2
C.I
ROBA